That's Guangzhou - April 2019

城市漫步 珠三角英 文版 04 月份

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APRIL 2019

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CANTON FAIR GUIDE

It’s back! Guangzhou’s largest trade fair returns this month, and to help you navigate the event we’ve prepared our first-ever digital Trade Fair Guide. Scan the QR code to access the mobile guide.

that’s PRD 《城市漫步》珠江三角洲 英文月刊

主管单位 : 中华人民共和国国务院新闻办公室 Supervised by the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China 主办单位 : 五洲传播出版社 地址 : 北京西城月坛北街 26 号恒华国际商务中心南楼 11 层文化交流中心 11th Floor South Building, Henghua lnternational Business Center, 26 Yuetan North Street, Xicheng District, Beijing http://www.cicc.org.cn 社长 President: 陈陆军 Chen Lujun 期刊部负责人 Supervisor of Magazine Department: 付平 Fu Ping 编辑 Editor: 朱莉莉 Zhu Lili

发行 Circulation: 李若琳 Li Ruolin

Editor-in-Chief Matthew Bossons 马特 Guangzhou Editor Ryan Gandolfo Shenzhen Editor Bryan Grogan Senior Staff Writer Tristin Zhang 张岳烽 National Arts Editor Sarah Forman Contributors Gary Bailer, Edoardo Donati Fogliazza, Mia Li, Naomi Lounsbury, Dominic Ngai, Valerie Osipov

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Distribution across the Pearl River Delta: 63,000 copies

Editor’s Note

APRIL 2019

Dearest readers, welcome to our April issue of That’s PRD! Before I kick things into gear and introduce the

magazine, I want to take a moment to talk about our first-ever digital Trade Fair Guide, aimed at helping those of you located in the Greater Bay Area – as well as visitors to our fair region – navigate the chaotic world of Guangzhou’s Canton Fair. To access our informative and helpful guide, scan the QR code in the box below.

For this month’s cover story, That’s Shanghai’s Dominic Ngai explores the fascinating world of blockchain and

profiles the growth of the developing technology in China (page 34). Additionally, Sarah Forman introduces you to emerging uses for blockchain in arts, society and travel (it turns out there is more to the tech than bitcoin).

In our City section, we take a look at China’s ozone pollution problem and showcase some amazing images

of old China. Elsewhere in this issue, we profile some stylish wears for spring and examine a stunning piece of

architecture in Chongqing. And, as always, the rear of the magazine boasts all the F&B details you need to stay full this month!

I’ll wrap this up with a special shout-out to our Guangzhou-based intern Naomi Lounsbury, who wrote a

comical – yet informative – story on bug-based snacks, which you can find on page 46.

Until next month,

Matthew Bossons Editor-in-Chief

CANTON FAIR GUIDE It’s back! Guangzhou’s largest trade fair returns this month, and to help you navigate the event we’ve prepared our first-ever digital Trade Fair Guide.

Scan the QR code to access the mobile guide.

Hourly updates on news, current affairs and general weirdness from around the PRD and China.

4 | GZ | APRIL 2019 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

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WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2019 | GZ | 5

34 COVER STORY

8 CITY

THE BLOCKCHAIN REACTION

9 OMINOUS OZONE

How China is developing this breakthrough technology (on its own terms).

Forget PM 2.5 and PM 10, ozone is the new pollution threat in China.

12 IMPRESSIONS OF THE PAST Discovering early photographs of a 19th century China.

17 SHUTING QIU

Fashion designer and entrepreneur.

19 OUT OF TOWNER Gulangyu Island.

58 EVENTS

THE WRAP

16 LIFE & STYLE

GZ

APR 12-13 White Water, Little Dust

24 ARTS

GZ

25 BRITT BROWN One half of Los Angelesbased electronic duo Robedoor.

APR 19-28

28 THE SCREAMING SCIENTIST

School of Rock the Musical

Descendent’s Milo Aukerman, the atypical academic face of punk.

HK

44 EAT & DRINK 48 TRADE FAIR TASTES

Places to wine, dine and party during Canton Fair.

50 RIGHT ABOUT MEOW

Four cat cafes to check out in Guangzhou.

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APR 13

Sonar Hong Kong MO

APR 27

A-Ma Festival

CITY

Stem Cell Savior P10 8 | GZ | APRIL 2019 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Impressions of the Past Discovering early photographs of a 19th century China, p12

Urban Dictionary P11

TALES OF THE CITY

OMINOUS OZONE

Forget PM 2.5 and PM 10, Ozone is the New Pollution Threat in China

By Matthew Bossons

C

hinese health experts are sounding the alarm on ozone pollution, according to Sixth Tone, an online publication by Shanghai United Media Group, and warning that the problem needs to be addressed now or it will be “tough to handle in the future.”

If you live in China and haven’t heard of ozone pollution, you are not alone: groundlevel ozone receives a lot less attention than the problem of fine particulate matter pollution – PM 2.5 and PM 10 – that is so well documented. While the word ozone itself may make you think of the ‘ozone layer’ – the concentrated, stratospheric layer of ozone that protects us from the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation – ozone can also exist down near the Earth’s surface, and it’s not good for people when it does.

“Once ozone gets into the human body, it causes considerable damage to the immune system and aggravates existing cardiovascular and respiratory problems,” Zhang Junfeng, a professor at China’s Regional Ozone Sino-US Collaborative Research Center at Duke Kunshan University, told Sixth Tone.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, groundlevel ozone pollution can make breathing difficult, cause shortness of breath along with coughing and aggravate lung diseases, among numerous other negative effects.

Basically, ozone sharing the same space as humans is not a good thing, and it turns out China has something of an ozone issue.

In 2016, according to a study published by the American peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives, 316,000 adults died in China as the result of respiratory issues related to long-term ozone exposure. To put this number in perspective, in every country outside of Asia, a combined 264,200 adults died in 2016 from ozone-related breathing problems. That year, China accounted for over 25 percent of the world’s total ozoneinflamed respiratory-related deaths.

Man-made ozone pollution, according to popular website How Stuff Works, is caused by “air pollution from internal combustion engines and power plants.

Automobile exhaust and industrial emissions release a family of nitrogen oxide gases (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC), by-products of burning gasoline and coal. NOx and VOC combine chemically with oxygen to form ozone during the sunny, high-temperature conditions of late spring, summer and early fall.”

In their report, Sixth Tone notes that while China’s efforts to tackle PM2.5 and PM10 pollution have been largely successful, efforts to combat ground-level ozone have been less forthcoming.

“The public is well-informed about how PM 2.5 causes heavy air pollution, and the authorities have put a lot of effort in recent years into bringing PM 2.5 and PM 10 under control,” said Zhang, according to Sixth Tone. “It’s obvious that these pollutants have fallen. But ozone pollution … doesn’t receive the same amount of attention, either from the public or from the government, because it’s far less visible in the first place.”

It has also been pointed out that China’s effort to drastically cut down PM 2.5 pollution has actually contributed to a rise in ground-level ozone. According to a paper recently released by researchers from Harvard University and Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, the existence of PM 2.5 in the air prevents the chemical reactions that create ozone. As such, when PM 2.5 levels drop, ozone levels rise accordingly.

While combating ozone pollution has previously been less of a priority, that might be changing. In China’s most recent three-year plan to combat air pollution, which was made public in July of last year, methods of combating ground-level ozone have been put to paper. Among the tactics, factories are being encouraged to fix installations that produce volatile organic compounds.

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THE BUZZ

RANDOM NUMBER

RMB1,288

See the QR codes on this page? Scan them with the That's App when you see it on an article to find more multimedia, photos and videos related to the feature you are reading. Genius, eh?

Download the That's App at www.thatsmags.com/app

DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?

Stem Cell Savior

… that’s how much Starbucks’ ridiculously popular ‘cat paw cup’ is selling for on Taobao. The coffee chain released the limited edition cup at the beginning of March, and it sparked huge demand from Chinese coffeeholics. On the day of its launch, videos quickly surfaced of people brawling inside Starbucks shops to get their paws on the hot item. Prices for the double-walled tumbler on Taobao range anywhere from RMB48 to RMB1,288, with the higher-end sellers claiming authenticity. One Taobao user who bought the RMB1,288 cup posted a review saying, “It’s definitely real…

All those RMB300-RMB400 [cups] are fake, I bought one for my girlfriend but she wasn’t satisfied, so I bought this one. When she compared this cup with her colleague’s, there wasn’t a single issue with it.” Scan the QR code to read more.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

A 36-year-old man in Guangdong became the first person in the province to donate hematopoietic stem cells internationally this past February. Guo Liyuan was identified as a match to a Canadian leukemia patient by the Red Cross Society in October, and he immediately agreed to become a donor “without any hesitation.” Guo, who is employed at a packaging company in Dongguan, was checked into a hospital in Guangzhou on February 17 and underwent the cell collection procedure four days later. The collection process reportedly lasted for around five hours and the cells were immediately transported to Canada. “I am really happy to be able to help and rescue a life, if not a family,” said Guo, according to China Daily, before adding that he hoped his story would encourage more to register with marrow databases.

According to a staffer from the Dongguan Red Cross Society, the chances of a finding a match for hematopoietic stem cells are very low, particularly between unrelated people from different countries.

To honor his selfless behavior, Guo’s employer held a special ceremony for him the day after his donation. He reportedly returned to work less than one week after the operation. Scan the QR code to read more.

“Huawei is good, Huawei is beautiful, Huawei wins glory for our country!”

These are the lyrics of the latest song from a Zhuhai-based kids’ singing group, Zhoudan Children’s Singing Classroom. Entitled ‘Huawei Mei,’ (or ‘Huawei, the Beautiful’ in English) the song was released on the group’s official WeChat account on February 25 along with a music video. While ostensibly not a project commissioned by Huawei, the singing troupe is pretty convincing when it comes to lines like, “Which is the most beautiful phone in the world? Everyone says Huawei!”

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E D I T O R . P R D @ U R B A N A T O M Y. C O M

CHINESE URBAN DICTIONARY

renshe / rén shè / 人设 noun., a social media persona we design for ourselves, maintain and cultivate; who we want to be.

Try this cotton candy.

It’s so delicious!

I can’t be seen eating cotton candy.

It’d break my renshe.

What is that?

A mysterious and always pensive tough guy.

Okay, do you want to take some home and eat it when no one’s watching?

Yes, thank you.

There are a few opportunities in life where you can completely re-invent yourself: starting at a new school, the beginning of a career at a new company, or when you move to a new country. However, social media is a different story. You can start a new online persona anytime!

Think back to the first time you posted on your WeChat Moments. You said to yourself: “I shall only post photos where I’m living my best life!” You went through your camera roll, selected photos in line with who you envision your WeChat self to be and posted those.

That person you see yourself as on social media is called renshe, which means ‘character design.’ It is partly you, partly fiction. It is life, but elevated. It has everything you approve of in yourself, and nothing you disapprove of. It is the you who eats glutenfree avocado toast, but not the you who has skipped the gym for the third time this month already. It is the you who takes a surfing trip to Thailand, but not the you who works overtime five days a week. It is the you who takes a hot date to a trendy restaurant, not the you who binge-watches TV shows with bags of potato chips.

The problem is, we also see other peo-

ple’s renshe and often forget that it’s partially fiction. On WeChat Moments, we see someone sipping a cocktail at a swanky bar and we think that’s what they do everyday after work. We see someone working out at the gym and think they never skip leg day. We see other people’s selfies with immaculate makeup and think that’s how they look all the time.

Even stars and celebrities have renshe they work hard to maintain. Some are the handsome, loyal and loving husband, while others are the mysterious and unpredictable ladies’ man. Once in a while, by pure accident, we get to see the real version of these people, without the filters of social media, and feel jolted by reality. The loving husband has his dalliances and the ladies’ man might yearn for stable relationships. “Their renshe is broken!” we lament.

Those good at social media never break their renshe. They tailor their content to be 100 percent in line with it and become one with their renshe. The question is, when you become your online self, where do you put your real self? Mia Li

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IMPRESSIONS OF THE PAST CIT Y | F E AT URE

Discovering Early Photographs of a 19th Century China Words by Edoardo Donati Fogliazza, images courtesy of the Tsinghua University Art Museum and the Loewentheil China Photography Collection

T

hree decades ago, New York City-based ‘super collector’ Stephan Loewentheil started acquiring early photographs of China. Now, the Loewentheil China Photography Collection counts more than 15,000 shots dating from the 1850s through the 1930s, making it one of the largest private archives of early China photography.

Loewentheil is also a leading dealer of rare books and manuscripts with major international clients. Founder and president of the 19th Century Rare Book and Photograph Shop, over the past 30 years he has handled unique pieces like the original manuscript of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and Shakespeare’s First Folio. Still, it was the historical value of early photographs of China that most motivated him to go about assembling his most important collection to date.

“Early photography preserves the cultural and historical record in China and elsewhere as it had existed for centuries,” he told That’s, “Photography preserved, through art, images of that vanished world and documented the transformation of the diverse lands of 19th century China into the great modern nation it has become.”

Indeed, Loewentheil’s photographs are more than just some of the earliest recorded forms of paper photography in China – they are living historical documents. Thomas Child’s photograph of the Yuanmingyuan Fountain’s Gate, for instance, is one of the few that allow us to appreciate the beauty of what is now known as the ‘Old Summer Palace,’ now not much more than a collection of ruins located in the northwest of Beijing.

For Loewentheil, this was true since the early days of China photography. “The West was essentially introduced to the vast Chinese landscape, its cultures, and its peoples 12 | GZ | APRIL 2019 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

through the visual medium of photography.

Early visitors brought back photographic art which transported viewers through time and distance with an immediacy transcending the written word. It allowed the West to gain access to the people, places, and events of China and offered a precise view of otherwise inaccessible people and places.” This was true for their Chinese contemporaries as well. “A photograph enabled Chinese people and people from all over the world to get a glimpse and understanding of China that transcended the written word. Chinese people residing within the vast country of China could see landmarks, architecture and people from regions of the country that they had not visited.”

Despite their value, it seems that these early photographs of old China are still in the process of finding their place in the country’s artistic discourse.

“Unfortunately, there is yet no permanent public museum collections in China where people can view the great heritage of early Chinese photographic art,” says Loewentheil. This made the 2018 exhibition Vision and Reflection: Photographs of China in the 19th Century from the Loewentheil Collection, curated by Philip Prodger and hosted by the young Tsinghua University Art Museum from November through last month, even more groundbreaking. Marking the first time that part of the impressive Loewentheil collection was made available to Chinese audiences, the exhibition focused on presenting photography as “a documentary tool and a way for human beings to understand themselves,” as Su Dan, vice director of the Tsinghua University Art Museum, underlines in his introduction to the exhibition.

It was also an occasion to discuss the

THOMAS CHILD, SEVENTEEN ARCH BRIDGE, SUMMER PALACE, BEIJING: 1870S, ALBUMEN PRINT, 22 CM X 29 CM

F E AT URE | CIT Y

FELICE BEATO, NORTH GATE, BEIJING; 1860, ALBUMEN PRINT, 2 PRINT, 23 CM X 59 CM

spread of photographic arts in China.

Among the 120 pictures shown at Tsinghua University, all in a surprisingly good state of conservation, were some from pioneers of Chinese photography like Lai Afong from Hong Kong and Liang Shitai from Tianjin.

These early photographers are credited not only with mastering a new technique, but also for popularizing it among a climate of discomfort towards this new technology. They had to first popularize the practice among the elite in order to then proceed to introduce it among merchants and common people. This is why Loewentheil’s collection also includes portraits of great historical value, including some of Empress Dowager Cixi and of late-Qing high-ranking official Li Hongzhang.

“The amount of creativity, thought and skill that went into making successful photographs in the 19th century was at least as great as in painting,” Prodger says. “It was not like today.

Photographs were extremely difficult to make. When we look at them now, we can marvel at the way they used the new medium to explore the visual world in innovative ways. There was literally no precedent for much of what they accomplished.”

Since the late 19th century, their works represented an important form of cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world, allowing for the appreciation of the artistic significance of Chinese photography.

“There is an old idea that photographic history was driven by the West and percolated through to places like China in the 19th century, and that China basically received this technology, and the way of looking it represented, from the West,” Prodger remarks.

“This show causes us to rethink that completely. While it is true that most

JOHN THOMSON, YUANFU MONASTERY, FUJIAN; C.1870, CARBON PRINT, 29 CM X 22 CM

of the technical inventions in photography did come from Europe and the United States at this time, these were only tools.” After all, as Loewentheil tells us, “China has its own tradition in optics that predates the introduction of photographic technology from the West. […] From writings in the 11th century by Shen Kua, and the 13th century by Kuo Shou-Ching, it is clear that the scientific thought fundamental to the camera obscura, an important precursor to the camera, was known to the Chinese hundreds of years before the device appeared in the West.”

Also, pictures from Chinese and non-Chinese photographers show differing aesthetic stances. For example, Chinese photographers created portraits with compositions similar to those of paintings, while Western photographers attempted to seize the movements of sitters. With regard to architectural photography, Chinese photographic studios were inclined to include architecture into landscapes while Western photographers focused more on the architecture itself.

By forever impressing scenes of China’s past, these photographs not only act as historical documentation, but also serve as testament to the radical changes the country has undergone throughout the last century. Putting together Chinese and non-Chinese views of China, they also establish a dialogue between two artistic traditions and cultures. For the collector himself, this is “an important first step to help lead China into the international movement celebrating the art of early photography, while learning about the great historical foundation upon which China has been built.”

A CHAN STUDIO (YA ZHEN), HEAVENLY PEACE STREET IN GUANGZHOU; 1870S, ALBUMEN PRINT, 29 CM X 22 CM

ATTRIBUTED MAJOR J. C. WATSON, NINGPO PATH; C.1860, ALBUMEN PRINT, 29 CM X 21 CM

THOMAS CHILD, GREAT WALL WITH GATE, BADALING; 1870S, ALBUMEN PRINT, 22 CM X 29 CM

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CIT Y | F E AT URE

IN HIS OWN WORDS Commentary on Masterpieces by Art Curator Phillip Prodger

“Working from studios in Hong Kong, Lai Afong made some of the most beautiful and evocative photographs of South China, especially the Pearl River Delta, in the 19th century. I don’t think he ever made a bad picture. This one is very special because the two sitters face the camera even as they relate to one another. There is something magical about the woman’s left hand and the man’s right hand placed on the table, mere centimeters apart. Lai Afong probably positioned them there for stability so they would not blur in the picture, but there is something about that gesture of reaching and not touching that makes the picture endlessly endearing.”

LAI AFONG,ACTORS; C.1870, 29CM X 22CM

Scottish photographer John Thomson was one of the first to travel to the Far East and use the new medium to document the people, landscapes and artefacts he got in touch with. His collection Foochow and the River Min (1873), realized during his five-year stay in China, contains landscapes from the city of Fuzhou, in Fujian province, and is universally celebrated as one of the greatest works of early photography. “This is one of the most famous photographs ever made in 19th-century China. The temple, which still exists, is shown in mirror reflection on the calm, minimal surface of the river, against a bright sky. It almost doesn’t look photographic; rather, the sky and river look more like the raw silk or paper of a traditional brush painting. The overall effect is of the temple suspended in space, levitating, an object of contemplation and meditation.”

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JOHN THOMSON, ISLAND PAGODA, MIN RIVER, FUJIAN; C.1870, CARBON PRINT, 22 CM X 29 CM

F E AT URE | CIT Y

“This is a great example of how China has changed almost beyond recognition since the 19th century. Sections of this wall still exist, of course, and will be well-known to Beijing residents, although much of it has been dismantled. But the feeling of vast empty sky and the barren, rocky landscape make the city look like a desert fortress more than the bustling international capital it is today.”

THOMAS CHILD, FOUNTAINS GATE, OLD SUMMER PALACE (YUANMINGYUAN), BEIJING; 1870S, ALBUMEN PRINT, 22 CM X 29 CM

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LIFE

CI T Y | P HO T O E S S AY

&

STYLE

Weekend Getaway P19 1 6 | | GGZZ | | AAPPRRI ILL 22001 199 | | WWWWWW. .TTHHAATTSSMMAAGGSS. .CCOOMM

Scaling Mountains A hotel renovation inspired by Chongqing’s vast topography, p22

Hello, Yellow!

P20

SPOTLIGHT

SHUTING QIU Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur Interview by Dominic Ngai

Ever since she was a child, Hangzhou native Shuting Qiu had always wanted to become a fashion designer. Now, at the age of 24, she’s already realized her lifelong dream. Shortly after graduating from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Qiu established her eponymous womenswear label in 2017, and later made her runway debut at the New York Fashion Week last fall. Speaking from her current home in Antwerp, Qiu shares with us her humble beginnings and the philosophy behind her bold and colorful designs.

When did you start developing an interest in fashion?

Ever since I was young, I always knew I wanted to become a fashion designer. Drawing and reading fashion magazines have been my favorite hobbies for as long as I can remember. I’d always been very persistent about my dream. I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t become a fashion designer. Fashion is a good medium in which I can express myself. Being able to turn my passion into a career is something that I’d always wanted to do.

How has your birthplace (Hangzhou) and your current home base (Antwerp) inspired your work? Why did you choose Antwerp?

Hangzhou is a really beautiful place and it definitely had an effect on developing my artistic fundamentals. Silk is one of my favorite materials and I use that a lot in my collections, I think that has to do with where I’m from as well.

As for Antwerp, I’ve always been a huge fan of the ‘Antwerp Six,’ so I wanted to study here. I’ve been living here for about four years. Since completing my studies at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, I’ve been learning more about European culture and the region’s modern art in order to find inspirations for my work. What’s more important is that living in Antwerp has made me a more confident person, which also allowed my design to have a better-defined personality and style.

“I’d always been very persistent about my dream. I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t become a fashion designer”

There are many ethnic elements and bold colors in your design. Why is that? Are there any cultures that you find particularly inspirational? What are some of your favorite colors?

I use a lot of ethnic elements, bold colors and silhouettes and eccentric headpieces, combined with the use of silk, jacquard, hand embroidery and feminine cuts for a sense of elegance. I am particularly drawn to Indian culture. The headpieces from my previous collection, for instance, are inspired by the Kathakali dancers from southern India. I generally like bright, eye-catching and ‘happy’ colors that go well together, but I don't have a favorite.

What was it like to take part in New York Fashion Week?

It was magical. I couldn’t really believe it when I first heard the news. After the show, I was quite happy with all the positive feedback, but at the same time, there’s also tremendous pressure that comes with it. Now, I need to think about how to make my next collection better than the last.

You’re one of the finalists for this year’s Business of Fashion China Prize. Can you tell me a little bit about your collection for the contest?

The concept of the AW19 collection is: “If I were not a designer, a writer would be my dream.” My way of expression has gradually changed from words to relying on visuals to deliver emotion. I worship Virginia Woolf; her persona is an inspiration, and I want to render her in my collection. Visual inspiration came from my trip to Mumbai this year: rich colors of India and the textures of beaded embroidery. Referencing the English style, I will combine masculine tartan fabrics with rich floral prints and cut to present a free and heroic, romantic and neurotic ‘writer.’

What’s your plan for the rest of 2019?

I’m finishing up the AW19 collection, and getting ready to shoot the campaign for it. I have a basic concept for the SS20 collection, so I need to do more research on it. I’m also thinking about setting up my own studio in China and transferring a portion of my work here. shutingqiu.com

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STYLE RADAR COVET

DOE x Converse To celebrate its 5th anniversary, Shanghai-born streetwear label DOE partnered with Converse to roll out a series of limited edition sneakers and apparel. Reinterpretations of the classic Chuck 70 and Jack Purcell are the highlights of this collaboration series, where layered cube patterns – a nod to DOE’s logo – are featured on their bodies. A branded T-shirt and a track jacket and pants set are also available in the collection.

COVET

Bottles to Bags In 2016, 480 million plastic bottles were sold around the world, and less than half of these plastic items were recycled. Most of the bottles we use end up in the ocean or in landfills, which creates a huge problem for the Earth’s major ecosystems. Just before Earth Day (April 22), Freitag – the Swiss brand famous for its bags made from used truck tarp – introduced a new Tarp on PET line that addresses the world’s plastic problem. In addition to tarpaulin, the items in the series feature textiles made from 100 percent recycled PET bottles, making them much lighter and softer than some of the brand’s previous creations.

Available online and at the brand’s offline retailers and resellers around the world. > freitag.ch

> doeshanghai.com

OVERHEARD

“[To all haters,] she’s a model and you’re not” … said an Instagrammer about a controversial photo of model Gao Qizhen that was posted on the official IG account of the US edition of Vogue in early March.

It’s garnered more than 71,000 likes and 2,100 comments thus far. Much like last month’s infamous Zara makeup ad campaign featuring a Chinese model with a freckled face, Chinese netizens were once again extremely fired up about Western brands’ obsession with ‘exotic’ Asian faces and accused Vogue of racism. “Fashion magazines only pick those so-called ‘unique’ looks to represent Asians… Give me a break and thank you, next!” commented another user who identified herself as Chinese. Others also piled on Gao with demeaning comments about her resemblance to the characters from Avatar, while others jumped to her defense: “Don’t be [jealous] of her success.

Do something [meaningful] for yourself and maybe you’ll get noticed too.”

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E D I T O R . P R D @ U R B A N A T O M Y. C O M

OUT OF TOWNER

Gulangyu Island

L

ocated in Fujian province, just a five-minute ferry ride off the coast of Xiamen city, Gulangyu Island has over 3,000 years of history. In 1903, settlers from other countries began to make the island home in the wake of the Opium Wars, which, much as in other spots in China with a colonial past, left a mixed cultural footprint that is still apparent today.

In 2017, the island was listed as one of China’s UNESCO National Heritage Sites – and for good reason. Here, we introduce you to the sights, sounds and tastes of Xiamen’s beautiful Gulangyu Island – a slice of Chinese paradise.

See

On our visit, we head to the island extra early to avoid the inevitable crowds that will engulf the area later on in the day (this is China, right?). After taking a ferry from Xiamen Lundu Port to Sanqiutian Wharf, we arrive on the famed island, which has drawn comparisons to Shamian Island in Guangzhou. But thankfully, once we move beyond a small area

reminiscent of the popular Canton island, Gulangyu starts to take on its own shape.

We spend hours wandering the island’s maze of laneways, which are dotted with historic structures that demonstrate an eclectic array of design elements in which architecture nerds will revel. The diversity visible on Gulangyu’s backstreets will leave a lasting impression of this multicultural hub, especially if you brush up on the island’s history before your arrival.

Interestingly, the island earned its name from the drumming sound of the East China Sea waves crashing into the numerous reefs that surround the peaceful island. Hit the island’s seawall and hear the soothing sound of the waves for yourself.

Do

There’s surprisingly a lot to do on the 1.8-square-kilometer island, which currently hosts a population of around 20,000. Whether you’re into museums, beaches, temples or lounging around at an old school cafe, Gulangyu has what you crave. On our visit, we hike up

Sunlight Rock to get arguably the best view in all of Fujian province.

Aside from outdoor exploring, the island boasts a 450-square-meter piano museum that showcases ancient pianos brought over from around the world.

Taste

Walking along Longtou Jie is an inevitable part of visiting the island, and a stroll down the popular pedestrian street offers ample opportunities to snack, gorge yourself and shop for souvenirs. One foodstuff we try is the famous fish ball noodles, which come highly recommended but are a bit of a letdown (although we must admit we aren’t the biggest fans of fish balls).

Stay

The island is also home to a number of quaint hotels. Former consulates and family houses have been turned into tourist accommodations to meet the growing demand, while also providing a fun and historically interesting hotel stay.

As with elsewhere in China, be sure that you book in advance if you're planning on coming during the holidays, as the island is a popular tourist destination during the high season. RG

How to get there: From Shenzhen: Take a high-speed train from Shenzhen North Station to Xiamen North Station, and then take BRT Bus 1 from the railway station to No. 1 Wharf (the terminal station of the route). From there, walk 10 minutes north to catch a ferry to the island.

From Guangzhou: Take a high-speed train from Guangzhou South Station to Shenzhen North Station and transfer trains to head to Xiamen North, then follow the same directions as listed above.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2019 | GZ | 19

LIFE & STYLE | FASHION

HELLO, YELLOW! Shine Bright with the Color of the Season Compiled by Dominic Ngai

In addition to dominating the runways of the biggest Spring/Summer 2019 fashion shows last September, this sunny shade of yellow (aka Aspen Gold) has also been declared by Pantone as one of the defining colors of the upcoming season. Here are a few items that can spark a little joy over the next few months.

H&M RMB329 hm.com

Zara RMB399 zara.cn

Thom Browne RMB2,400 farfetch.cn Zara RMB159 zara.cn

20 | GZ | APRIL 2019 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Dior Eyewear RMB2,850 farfetch.cn

FASHION | LIFE & STYLE

H&M RMB199 hm.com

Balenciaga RMB8,600 farfetch.cn

Marimekko RMB1,500 beams.co.jp

Beams RMB560 beams.co.jp Maison Margiela RMB5,724 farfetch.cn

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SCALING MOUNTAINS

A Hotel Renovation Inspired by Chongqing’s Vast Topography Words by Dominic Ngai, photos by Zhao Yang

At the restaurant, the U-shaped central outdoor patio looks out onto a forest.

Project name: Nanshanli Hotel Location: Nan’an District, Chongqing Area: 4,680 square meters Design company: Linjian Design Studio The brief: Using Nan’an District’s hilly terrain and dense greenery as inspirations for the renovation of Nanshanli Hotel, Linjian Design Studio turned what used to be several abandoned individual buildings in a 3-acre courtyard into one cohesive structure connected by a continuous outdoor corridor, allowing the natural surroundings to become part of the brand new property. > linjiandesign.com

22 | GZ | APRIL 2019 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN | LIFE & STYLE

The floor-to-ceiling windows in the hotel rooms allow guests to be fully embraced by nature.

The corridor allows guests to access different sections of the hotel without taking stairs.

Adding an outdoor corridor became the most obvious solution for merging several structures built to different heights and facing different directions into one cohesive unit.

This also allowed the designers to blur the boundaries between the natural landscape and the architecture itself.

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ARTS

Rocket Girl P27 24 | GZ | APRIL 2019 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Wild Child

Danish pop star MØ talks fast fame and growing up, p30

New China Albums P32

DRUMROLL

BRITT BROWN

One Half of Los Angeles-based Electronic Duo Robedoor

By Sarah Forman

Dark isn’t the best adjective for describing the sound and energy of Robedoor. The Los Angeles-based ‘occult industrial drone’ duo, formed by Britt and Alex Brown, are coming up on 20 years of psychedelic, processoriented experimental electronic music. Before they embark on their full-scale China tour this month, Britt tells us about corn chips in cough syrup and cauldrons of black broth.

First off, what does ‘occult industrial drone’ mean?

Drone and industrial music are the cornerstone modes Alex and I bonded over when starting the band. Drone is about volume, immersion and hypnosis, while the industrial aspect refers to instrumentation and the bleak, blasted and metallic mood. The occult dimension is more about process, treating sound and performance as ritual rather than recitation.

How did you guys meet and what does Robedoor mean?

We met in 2001, when Alex moved to LA for college. After school, I started a record label with my girlfriend and played in some bands, but was looking for a project that could explore darker and noisier types of sounds. I knew Alex to be a fearless dude and fan of experiential performance so I proposed we collaborate. In February 2005, we started recording, and we’ve never stopped.

The name comes from a mythical Pacific Northwest street drug a friend once told me about that involves soaking corn chips in cough syrup and smoking them through a bong. Never met anyone who’s verified its existence but it sounded both mystical and degenerate, which quite accurately evoked the vibe we were envisioning for the music.

You’ve got an expansive discography. How has your sound changed over the years and what are you doing differently now?

There’s been three main eras of the band.

The first was 2005 to 2008, when everything

“Music is about more than what it sounds like, and how the world responds to it”

was improvised. We’d hang a microphone from the ceiling and jam different arrangements of trashed ceremonial instrumentation, recording every session and picking our favorites for limited tapes and CDs on whatever label was interested. Back then, we never overdubbed or played something twice – the whole point was to capture the raw unhinged moment in all its mess and intensity.

For our 2008 East Coast summer tour with Pocahaunted and Woods we schemed some music that was more song-like, with fixed loops and sections and vocal parts.

When we got home, we had our friend M. Geddes (Ged) Gengras help record the album, and he joined the band during this process. We played as a trio for the next few years, shifting into more of an undead desert psych-rock sound, with a full drum kit and prominent guitars. The songs were still sprawling and loose and noisy, but there was structure. Ged left in early 2011, so Alex and I reformatted to drum machines and keyboards and loop units, which is how it’s been ever since.

What’s your creation process like?

Typically, I’ll make some percussion patterns on our drum machines and finesse them until they feel sufficiently heavy and hypnotic to sustain the weight of a Robedoor song. Alex will then design sets of loops that interlock with the rhythms. Once all that’s in place, we light incense and dim the lights and bask in the machines while we experiment with live keyboard parts, scraped metal, vocal howls, or whatever other frequency or texture

speaks to us. It’s cliched, but the songs reveal themselves as much as we actively write them. These days, most of our songs take years to fully solidify into their ultimate form.

Even then, the album version is just one iteration of this shape-shifting entity we’ve been trying to bottle.

What do you want your sets to feel like or evoke?

An initiation into some arcane sect. Like watching two shamans summon an unknown presence from a forbidden dimension.

If there is one thing you want people to know about you, what would it be?

Music is about more than what it sounds like, and how the world responds to it. It’s about why an artist creates it, what they’re seeking in the process. Robedoor has outlasted a lot of phases and peers simply because our motivations aren’t external. The band is basically a hermetic order at this point.

If your music were a meal, what would it consist of?

A cauldron of blackish boiling broth.

Guangzhou: Fri Apr 12, 8.30pm; RMB80. RozzTox, 19-3 Shiyounan Er Jie Wu Xiang, Wuyang Xincheng, Yuexiu District 越秀区五羊新城寺右南二街 五巷19号之3号 Shenzhen: Sat Apr 13; ticket prices TBD. Oil, 11A Ground Floor, Tairan Building, Tairan Ba Lu, Futian District 福田区泰然八路泰然大厦01层L1-11A

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2019 | GZ | 25

COLL AGE

See the QR codes on this page? Scan them with the That's App when you see it on an article to find more multimedia, photos and videos related to the feature you are reading. Genius, eh?

Download the That's App at www.thatsmags.com/app

COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU

TRANSCRIBED

APRIL 5

Shazam!

As the newest installment in the DC Extended Universe, the release marks Shazam’s first feature film appearance since 1941. After a run-in with a wizard, young orphan Billy Batson (Asher Angel) finds that he can transform into an adult superhero (played by Zachary Levi) simply by saying the magic word – Shazam! With the help of his foster brother, Billy now has to learn how to put his newfound superpower to good use. But with great power comes great responsibility, and unlike most 14-year-olds, Billy is tasked with defeating the dangerous super villain Dr. Thaddeus Sivana.

“Did SAIC Motors sponsor this film?” … a Weibo user joked of the upcoming Marvel release Shang-Chi. Slated to be the studio’s first superhero movie with an Asian lead, the title in pinyin left some internet users confused, as it’s also the Chinese abbreviation for SAIC Motor Corporation Limited – the state-owned automobile manufacturer.

While the two have no affiliation, SAIC will surely be happy to enjoy some free publicity along with the film’s upcoming release.

HAO BU HAO

APRIL 5

Wukong’s Christmas Adventure

With so few English language movies showing in China this month, now’s the perfect opportunity to check out one of the many domestic films hitting the silver screens. In this animated holiday special, you’ll find familiar faces like Rudolph and Santa Claus, but don’t expect a classic Christmas narrative. Connecting Eastern and Western traditions, values and holiday customs, this is a lighthearted film about family, friendship and cross-cultural understanding. Check your local cinema for showings with English subtitles.

26 | GZ | APRIL 2019 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Hao This year’s South by Southwest music conference in Austin, Texas showcased over 20 acts from China – the most it has ever hosted. The event spotlighted a diverse array of artists representing different cities and genres, including artists and bands like Beijing’s Shao, David Boring from Hong Kong, Chengdu’s Stolen and Shanghaibased Faded Ghost. On the hip hop side, emerging performers such as the neo soul duo Artux Surfin Boi and rappers Kucci, NineOne# and YOUNG13BABY bolstered China’s growing presence in the genre. Looks like 2019 might be the year when China’s music scene makes a global impact.

Bu Hao Over February and March, there were a startling number of concert cancellations across the country. Craig David led the charge by announcing on Instagram that he wouldn’t be playing his Shanghai and Beijing shows due to health and visa-related issues. Then, rapper Rich the Kid, pop punk band Cloud Nothings, British singer-songwriter Rita Ora and post-punk band Gang of Four all had to cancel their shows for one reason or another. It hasn’t been a great year for foreign musicians so far, has it?

E D I T O R . P R D @ U R B A N A T O M Y. C O M

SINO CELEB

Lai Meiyun While Chinese pop, also known as Mando-pop, often takes a backseat to the scenes in Japan and Korea, there are some artists who are working to change that. Among these up-and-coming pop princes and princesses is Lai Meiyun, a member of the music group 101 Rocket Girls who is known by many for her cute appeal. Here are five fast facts about Ms. Lai： Guangdong Roots Lai was born in Shenzhen in July of 1998, making her just 20 years old. After attending Shenzhen Senior High School, her singing career took off in 2015 and she’s now touring the world instead of college campuses.

‘Little Seven’ Lai Meiyun’s nickname, Xiaoqi, means ‘little seven.’

People have debated the origin of her nickname, but you don’t need to look any further than her birthday: July 7. Being born on the seventh day of the seventh month, along with having a cute and bubbly personality, has earned Lai the title.

Rocket Girl In 2014, Lai joined S.I.N.G, which stood for ‘Super Impassioned Net Generation.’ The girl band accomplished a lot during Lai’s tenure, releasing popular hit songs like ‘Qingchun de Gaobai’ (Confessions of Youth) and ‘Bulu Bulu.’ But the young singer really took off after finishing sixth in China’s Produce 101 entertainment TV show. The top 11 contestants were grouped together to make a kickass girl band called 101 Rocket Girls, churning out future classics like ‘Calorie’ and ‘Collide.’

Vlogging Fiend Xiaoqi runs her own vlog, capturing the life of a 20-year-old girl caught in the net of stardom. She gives fans an inside glimpse of her busy tour schedule and chats about whatever’s on her mind. Tune in on Bilibili to see what the mingxing is up to.

Traditional ‘Cute Girl’ That’s the phrase China Daily used to describe Lai while she was a contestant on Produce 101. Given the singer’s preppy look and dainty smile, she has won the hearts of many male fans. China Daily said she is “considered to represent the traditional perception of feminity,” being cute with a touch of shyness (their words, not ours).

WHAT’S NEW

Hubei-born rapper Bohan Phoenix released his newest EP Yaode in March. Rapping in both English and Chinese, his characteristic disregard for conforming to labels and uncompromising individuality are at the forefront once again in a strong follow-up to his 2018 release Overseas. The EP features production from Brooklyn-via-Boston producer Chedda and Hong Kong beatmaker Delf, as well as a strong presence from his long-term collaborator Harikiri, showcasing Bohan’s unique brand of hip hop that doesn’t take itself too seriously and sets out to prove, in his words, that he’s “not like the rest of them.” For Bohan’s take on each of the tracks, scan the QR code to read his breakdown of the new EP.

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2019 | GZ | 27

ARTS | MUSIC

THE SCREAMING SCIENTIST Descendent’s Milo Aukerman, the Atypical Academic Face of Punk

By Sarah Forman

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MUSIC | ARTSTS

“… in (science and music) you try to find your niche, your pocket, where you can be more passionate, more idealistic and see how well you can do”

M

ohawks, neon colored hair, studded belts and leather jackets have become the stereotypical emblem of punk rock – an aggressive image that has frightened parents for decades on end. The Descendents, however, are pretty much the antithesis of the Manic Panic-clad kids coloring the scene.

Formed in 1977, the pop-punk band is considered a pioneer of the genre known for their signature angsty sound and a well-respected discography. Breaking stuff and skipping school were never part of their brand, as is evident by the title of their first release, Milo Goes to College.

“We were all geeks,” lead singer Milo Aukerman says from his home in Delaware when recalling the band’s early days. Before our interview, he had just dropped his

daughter off for school after her symphony rehearsal earlier that morning. “She’ll go see me play,” he says, “but in terms of [her musical taste] it’s a whole different thing… I like classical music too though, so I really enjoy her concerts.”

It’s an image that’s all too fun to indulge: the 56-year-old punk rock dad who holds a PhD in molecular biology driving his 14-yearold daughter and her French horn across state lines to practice classical music. In between drop-offs, pick-ups and family dinners, Aukerman and the band are now embarking on four-day sets of tours across the US each week, which allows them to play and live their lives concurrently. He’s got an even longer stint ahead with a show in Japan, four dates across China and a show in Hawaii this April. This marks the Descendents’ first-ever performance in the PRC. At first glance, the anarchical genre and academia might seem at odds with each other in both character and form, but five minutes with Aukerman will have you thinking otherwise. “I wanted to be a scientist before I wanted to be a musician,” he tells me. “I found it as creatively stimulating, at least in its heyday, as music, and that’s why I kept leaving the band… I really wanted to pursue this other passion.”

The Descendents’ four-decade-long career was broken up first by his departure for university, second by his return to pursue a graduate degree, and again by a career in plant genetics. What drew him to science, and what ended up bringing him back to music, was the same impulse: the pursuit of creativity. It was only when his research became dominated by products and commercial endeavors that he found himself writing songs again.

“In that sense, that might’ve been why I wasn’t suited to be in science. Similar to music, science has become a less idealistic venture, and more of a business. In both of those areas you try to find your niche, your pocket, in which you can be more passionate, more idealistic and see how well you can do…. The beauty with what we’re doing in music is, somehow, we’ve been able to avoid the business side taking over.”

This may have inadvertently been a product of the band’s periods of inactivity.

In the 1990s when punk rock was really starting to pick up, major record labels were signing groups by the dozens in hopes of finding the next “Green Day,” Aukerman tells That’s. In his absence, the other members of the band were performing under the group name ALL and ended up signing with Interscope, but disputes over marketing and promotion led to the dissolution of the rela-

tionship. Though things didn’t work out the way they’d hoped, in the process they were able to finance building The Blasting Room – a recording studio in Fort Collins, Colorado that has produced records for names like MxPx, Less Than Jake, Rise Against, AntiFlag and many more. “If they look at their experience they think, yeah we got screwed over… but we got a recording studio, so that’s cool. A lot of bands got screwed over in much worse ways.”

With studio in tow, the lesson led to the Descendents working with Epitaph Records in 1996 – the biggest label they’ve ever partnered with. That autonomy meant they didn’t, and don't, have to meet the demands of song quotas and scheduled releases, which serves their process and their product well.

All four of the members – Aukerman, Bill Stevenson, Karl Alvarez and Stephen Egerton – contribute their own tracks. This means, “if I don’t feel I need to write a song, I won’t.

There’s no timeline, you strike when inspiration hits… because of that we’ve had what I call long periods of gestation,” Aukerman explains with a laugh. An album is in the works, he confirms. When we can expect to hear it, however, is yet to be determined.

Though he admits it wasn’t by design, Aukerman’s interest in the world of science may be the very thing that enables them to play the way they do today: recording albums on their own timeline and going on shorter tours that don’t require weeks or months away from their families. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his own regrets about how everything’s played out.

“It took me so long to figure out that music is as challenging, if not more challenging, than being a scientist, and I was just kind of giving it short shrift at the time. I never really took music seriously as a career.” That can hardly be said of his approach today, where Aukerman makes a concerted effort to protect his voice, put on quality shows and bring the same energy to the stage that he did as a high school senior. More than 40 years on, the Descendents will still make you think twice about what to expect from the genre.

Guangzhou: Mon Apr 29, 9pm; RMB280 presale, RMB330 at the door. SD Livehouse, Building No. 7, Huacheng Wangshi Creative Area, 132 Gongye Dadao Bei, Haizhu District 海珠区工业大道北132号花 城往事创意园7栋 Shenzhen: Tue Apr 30, 9pm; RMB280 presale, RMB330 at the door. B10, North side of Building C2, North Area, OCT-Loft, Xiangshan Dong Jie, Nanshan District, 南山区香山东街华侨城创意文化园北 区C2栋北侧 (247 Tickets)

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ARTS | MUSIC

“B

low a kiss, fire a gun. We need someone to lean on,” belts the siren-sounding voice of Danish singer MØ on Major Lazer and DJ Snake’s explosive single ‘Lean On’ from the summer of 2015. Step into any club and you’re bound to still hear it once or twice, presumably followed by an eruption of shrieks from a crowd of inebriated EDM superfans. After being featured on the enormous hit, the electro-pop artist was propelled into the mainstream music spotlight, but MØ is far from a one-hit wonder.

Her solo career started with the release of ‘Maiden’ and ‘Pilgrim,’ which she shared on Tumblr back in 2012. After signing with Sony Music Entertainment, the young singersongwriter went on to put out her debut fulllength album No Mythologies to Follow with producer Ronni Vindahl in 2014. Featuring hits like ‘XXX 88’ with DJ royalty Diplo and the pulsating ‘Red in the Grey,’ No Mythologies to Follow was largely focused on MØ’s anxieties about growing up and embracing adulthood, an album that set the stage for her 2018 sophomore release.

After riding the ‘Lean On’ high and releasing a handful of smash singles, the charming oddity returned with her second full-length album, Forever Neverland, last year. Featuring collaborations with avant-pop artist Charli XCX and alternative R&B singer Empress Of, it once again proved she had plenty of tricks left up her sleeve.

Of course, those tricks took a bit of time to develop. “I think it’s only natural when you go from being a small indie artist to being a feature star on a global hit, that it takes a little while to find your own sound and identity again,” says the singer, who cites the Beatles, Billie Holiday, the Spice Girls and Sonic Youth as her most prominent inspirations early on.

Bouncy, synth-laden hits like ‘Beautiful Wreck’ and the simpler vocal-driven ‘Mercy’ are not shy in showcasing the rebellious artist’s range of style and skill. “[The album] embraced a lot of different sounds and themes, but [came] together around the subject of being scared about living up to the responsibilities of adulthood and the temptation to escape into your own little dream world,” she says of Forever Neverland. “Even though in truth you know it’s better to always show up and grab reality by the horns.”

An ode to eternal youth, the album is soaked in nostalgia, reminiscing on the carefree times surrounding childhood. It’s clear that MØ romanticizes a fantasy world – a safe haven free from the pressures of growing up.

30 | GZ | APRIL 2019 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

WILD CHILD Danish Pop Star MØ Talks Fast Fame and Growing Up

By Valerie Osipov

“I’ve always felt like a very childish soul. Not in a bad way, but you know, just a bit immature by nature,” she confesses.

“And I’ve always found that it’s very important to keep curious and playful when you’re trying to create – and in many other aspects of life.” It’s no surprise then that she believes her music would be the ideal soundtrack to “a new magical realism drama or mystery TV series.”

Shifting her focus from the past and coming into her own, the artist now finds herself looking forward to the future unafraid. “Now, after [putting] the album out into the world, I find myself focusing a lot more on the present and the future. Maybe I just needed to write it out…”

This month, she’s excited to meet her fans in Hong Kong again, after first touring China in 2017. Audiences can expect an intimate show full of emotion and energy. “[And for] me to be 100 percent present and to give it my absolute all,” she says.

Sonar HK: April 13, 12pm, RMB610-780. Hong Kong Science Park, 2 Science Park, West Avenue, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong

ARTS | ALBUMS

CHINA MUSIC CORNER

Three New Homegrown Albums on Our Radar This Month

By Ellie Dunnigan

Mountain of Time by FAZI The Beijing-based indie record label Maybe Mars has become a major bridge between international music audiences and China’s underground, which is only reinforced by their first release of 2019, Mountain of Time by Xi’an-based post punk group FAZI. Coming up on nearly a decade of making music, their new two-track 7-inch was mixed and produced by Duan Xuan and recorded at Bangkok’s Stolen Studio. Both songs share a vaguely ’80s rhythmic backbone, complemented

by Jixuan’s vintage-sounding vocals and Mandarin lyrics. With their polished noise and reverberating guitar chords, FAZI feels at once before their time and ahead of the current wave. The last minute of ‘Ninja’ boasts the best of classic rock and cutting-edge punk. This month, the group embarks on their second European tour, and we’re impatiently awaiting their return.

Listen here: downloads.maybemars.org/album/mountain-of-time

We Are The Lights by Android Apartment Five hundred years from now, you’re sitting in an upscale bar and being told, “it’s not too late to run away. Somewhere, the party’s still going strong.” This is the story, more or less, that futurefunk artist Android Apartment (Alberto Rojch) tells with his newest album, We Are The Lights, released by Hong Kong-based label Neoncity Records. Mixing danceable beats with sophisticated synths, Rojch’s sound is tailor-made for those late-night hours when we’re suspended between yesterday and tomorrow. The album’s six tracks are dreamy and futuristic, familiar but far-off, and they break from predictable electronic numbers by featuring brass and Spanishstyle guitar. Perfect for both bustling rooms and headphones, We Are The Lights reminds us of the importance of nostalgia and the power of modern funk.

Listen here: neoncityrecords.bandcamp.com/album/we-are-the-lights

Apart by Wellsaid Emo punk group Wellsaid is releasing their latest album, which is set to drop on April 27, on Hong Kong’s DIY label Sweaty and Cramped. From their four pre-released tracks, it’s clear that when it comes to ’90s indie music, Wellsaid knows their stuff. They’ve mastered the twinkly intro reminiscent of American Football’s ‘Never Meant’ and emo’s iconic now-pleading-laterscreaming vocals, but their stylistic range and robust sound is entirely their own. ‘Spilling My Guts’ mixes lithe fingerpicking with punchy percussion to make a compact and cathartically angsty track, while ‘Devotion’ is a sparse lover’s ballad that’s unafraid of negative space.

Despondent, disappointed and surprisingly relatable, Apart is a modern, mildly misanthropic nod to the ’90s.

Listen here: sweatyandcramped.bandcamp.com/album/apart

32 | GZ | APRIL 2019 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

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Available in aesthetically pleasing electric blue and glacial white bottles, they’re a refreshing choice for brewing tea and cooking.

This convenient wireless vacuum cleaner will make cleaning your home a complete breeze. The multifunctional soft-roller head can remove large debris and fine particles simultaneously from hard floorings, while the powerful motor and advanced filtration system mean that you’ll be done in no time.

Available in a vast range of colors and scents, the Renuzit cone air fresheners will transform your home or office with flavors like ‘after the rain’ or a ‘wildflower dream.’ Moreover, the special biodegradable gels they use will let you do so with a clean conscience.

This cutting-edge new console will allow you to immerse yourself in a complete gaming experience. With the ability to function as a handheld console and connect to TV sets, gamers can now play anytime and anywhere with the Nintendo Switch.

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I

n May 2018, President Xi Jinping declared blockchain – which powers bitcoin and other virtual currencies – a “breakthrough” technology while addressing a crowd from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Since then, the Chinese government has been singing its praises, calling it “10 times more valuable than the internet.” President Xi’s declaration came less than a year after officials began their nationwide crackdown on all cryptocurrency trading and initial coin offerings, resulting in the closures of dozens of ICOs and cryptocurrency exchange services within the country since September 2017. But just why is China suddenly changing its tune and becoming so determined to turn itself into a global hub for blockchain technology development even after shutting down the trading of bitcoin, its best-known application?

A

t first glance, Bay Valley in Shanghai’s Yangpu District looks like the rendering of an ideal workplace found inside the glossy pages of an architectural design magazine. Clusters of modern office towers with glass facades are sparsely laid out across the 660,000-square-meter compound, connected by idyllic tree-lined pathways and plenty of well-maintained green spaces.

After nearly an hour commuting from People’s Square, I arrive at Tower C7 in the development’s newest phase. While the premises’ interiors are still under renovation, Yangpu District already has high hopes for the space. Last fall, local officials bestowed the title of ‘Blockchain Building’ upon the nine-story structure. Once completed, all 19,000 square meters of C7 will be fully dedicated to hosting blockchain research and technology development firms. Tenants here will enjoy generous subsidies such as rental discounts and even housing allowance for staff (a ‘Blockchain Apartment’ is also being built right next to Bay Valley).

A short walk across the compound in Tower A6 is where I meet Trista Ding, a representative of Shanghai Blockchain Technology Association. Established in November 2018, the nonprofit organization is the city’s only government-backed blockchain association, falling under the umbrella of the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology. Its

36

mission is to act as a bridge between the government and the industry in order to promote “rapid, healthy and efficient” growth for the technology, and to establish a “safe and highly effective ecosystem,” as well as “a framework for industry standards,” Ding tells me, duly highlighting all the keywords.

Yangpu District, of course, isn’t the only place handing out perks to blockchain enterprises. Governments of Beijing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Guizhou and others have all introduced different legislations to promote the growth of blockchain development in their respective territories within the past year or two.

Suddenly, ‘blockchain’ has become the buzzword for almost everyone in the tech industry across the Middle Kingdom.

In simple terms, blockchain is the decentralized ledger behind bitcoin invented in 2008 by someone under the pseudonym of Satoshi Nakamoto. A blockchain is a growing list (chain) of records (blocks).

Each block contains a cryptographic hash of the previous block, a timestamp and transaction data. With bitcoin, for instance, the ledger consists of the entire chain of transactions, and an identical copy is stored on each of the tens of thousands of nodes (computers) that make up the entire network. Basically, it’s virtually impossible for someone to cheat the system or retroactively alter any transaction data unless they’re able to access 51 percent of all nodes. Thanks to its tamper-resistant

nature, blockchain is often referred to as a system of trust and is revered for its ability to cut out the middleman or a central authority figure to manage the process of all transactional exchanges.

China Market Research Group’s Benjamin Cavender believes all of these incentives echo the nation’s push to raise the levels of Chinese tech firms in order to compete with their Western counterparts.

“As part of the ‘Made in China 2025’ plan, the country is hoping to become a global leader in the innovation of emerging technologies. They are putting money into developing use cases for blockchain.

For example, the central bank has been aggressively exploring the technology inside its banking system, while various companies are looking at how blockchain can be used to execute contracts more effectively.

Basically, China is looking at how the technology can be integrated into other parts of the economy besides cryptocurrency,” he explains from his office across town.

In many ways, China is the ideal breeding ground for blockchain. Besides all the funding and the underlying support of the government, another reason, Cavender says, is the high number of young technical talents available. “There are many graduates with the computer science and mathematics background required to do the coding work behind the technology. It creates a cycle in which you can develop a new idea, then implement and refine it much faster than anywhere else.”

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I

n May 2018, around the same time of President Xi’s keynote address to the country’s science and engineering community that highlighted his admiration for blockchain, state broadcaster CCTV aired a 60-minute program that served as an explainer for the technology. At the top of the hour, a panel of Chinese and foreign experts delivered a ‘Blockchain 101’ crash course.

“We’re moving from an ‘internet of information’ to an ‘internet of value,’” said Blockchain Revolution co-author Don Tapscott to a live audience. “If I were to send you a PowerPoint or PDF, I can keep the original file, and that’s fine. But it doesn’t work for assets and things of value, like money, stocks and intellectual property.

Cryptographers have been unable to solve this problem until the creation of blockchain.” In short, another guest explained, the internet allows you to exchange information, and blockchain allows you to exchange value, before deeming it the “second phase of the internet.”

Last September, Chinese firms reportedly took up 57 spots of the ‘Top 100 Blockchain Enterprise Patent Rankings’ list compiled by global intellectual property information media outlet IPRdaily. Major players like Alibaba, People’s Bank of China, Tencent and China Unicom are among the most active patent filers along with IBM, MasterCard, Bank of America and Accenture. Rankings like these are evidence of the heated technological arms race between China and the West. In a 2018 survey compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers, 85.7 percent of respondents from across many industries in China deem ‘security traceability’ as blockchain’s most valuable quality. Meanwhile, ‘supply chain management,’ ‘data storage’ and ‘identity authentication’ are seen as

some of its most useful functions. As such, many global conglomerates and government entities are actively exploring how the technology can be used to improve public services and record keeping, among other things.

Many like Tamar Menteshashvili believe China definitely has what it takes to exude strong global influence in the future of this technology. Born in the country of Georgia, Menteshashvili has been working in blockchain solution designs in both private and public sectors since 2014. The PhD candidate at Shanghai Jiao Tong University had previously served as a consultant to the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan and the Georgian government in their respective projects for designing digital public service functions, as well as the relevant legal frameworks for implementation. After moving to China in 2016, Menteshashvili founded the SJTU Blockchain Hub, where she organizes talks and workshops featuring local and global industry leaders for students and faculty members of the school.

“When I first arrived in China three years ago, I was amazed not only by the development of blockchain here, but also how highly digitized the market is in general. It has one of the most active investment and startup ecosystems around the world, and is the largest ecommerce market,” she comments. “It enables rapid commercialization of digital business models on a large scale.

If blockchain-based business models can be successfully implemented in China, it will be considered as ‘super use cases.’ But in China, implementation of blockchain isn’t only about the technology and business solutions.

It’s a much more complex matter.”

T

he year 2018 was undoubtedly a very bad one for the crypto world. After reaching its all-time high at USD19,783 in December 2017, bitcoin’s value plummeted by 80 percent in the months that followed. The average daily price of bitcoin in 2018 was also the lowest value reported in the past nine years. Terms like ‘bubble burst,’ ‘crypto winter’ and ‘market crash’ began appearing on news headlines around the globe to sum up everything that had occurred last year. And as blockchain’s most wellknown and successful application, the fluctuation of bitcoin’s value has affected the confidence of investors in the technology. Although cryptocurrency trading and ICOs have been banned in China since September 2017, many smaller local blockchain startups still sustained the brunt of the impact.

“The quality of many blockchain project proposals in the market are just quite disappointing. This certainly had a negative effect on the investors’ confidence. But I think after the irrational hype around blockchain and cryptocurrency recedes, what remains in the market are those who are genuinely interested in developing the technology and creating use cases that can offer realistic outcomes,” says Riconi You,

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founder and CEO of fintech consulting firm FINWEX. “At the same time, officials and the industry need to work together to create a standard of risk assessment for such projects, as well as appropriate regulations around the whole industry.”

A December 2018 Forbes feature echoes You’s thoughts. In the piece, experts said the estimated 40 percent failure rate among all China-based blockchain projects is way too conservative. “Only a few projects – most likely those under big institutions – will eventually do well. Ultimately, it’s winner takes all,” Luo Xinghua, cofounder of BBShares (a hedge fund dealing in crypto assets), commented in the article. And if the “winners” Luo was referring to are the nation’s handful of state-backed financial institutions, tech giants and telecom companies, then blockchain’s main selling point – its decentralized nature – will be fundamentally compromised, the article argued.

Analysts like China Market Research Group’s Cavender aren’t surprised about this, however.

“China’s priority is always going to be domestic stability,” he says, noting that the ban on cryptocurrency trading was to eliminate potential risks it poses to

39 In China, the implementation of blockchain projects isn’t only about the technology and business solutions. It’s a much more complex matter

the stability of the renminbi, or any civil unrest that could be triggered by massive losses in crypto assets investments. For the development of blockchain, the government will likely take the same stance. “It will likely grow in China in a much more stable and controlled way, but I’m skeptical of whether or not the government will be able to control everything. It will be interesting to see how this takes shape.”

Another recent example of the Chinese government’s expansion of its oversight on blockchain is a set of anti-anonymity regulations that the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) introduced early this year. Effective February 15, 2019, all blockchain technology companies are required to collect identification information from users before offering any services involving the use of the technology.

Meanwhile, these companies must also register their names, domains and server addresses with the CAC, as well as be responsible for censoring content and information that may threaten national security or disrupt social order, among other things. A minimum fine of RMB20,000 will be issued to those who fail to comply with these new regulations, while repeat offenders may face further criminal investigation.

Many that I’ve spoken to, including Menteshashvili, believe this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. “People think [more regulations mean] that the government is against the technology, but this clearly is not the case,” she tells me, noting that she sees this latest CAC initiative as China’s evolving position on ICOs. While its tough stance on prohibiting any illegal fundraising schemes will remain unchanged, its desire to establish a basic framework for the sector is a sign that China is moving away from a hard ban.

Trista Ding from Shanghai Blockchain Technology Association also believes more regulations will generate more interest in the technology. “Seeing how volatile the value of bitcoin has been, many risk-averse investors, especially those who aren’t tech-savvy, wouldn’t be keen on investing in any blockchainrelated projects. But with more government oversight and regulations, it could potentially become more attractive for them.”

W

hether you’re a staunch believer in blockchain or are unconvinced on whether its abilities could bring positive change to society as a whole, it’s important to note that the technology is still in its infancy.

“During my four years in the industry, I’ve seen a lot of people who are either overly excited about the technology or are too skeptical about it,” Menteshashvili sums it up. “People need to understand the value behind the actual design of the solution and how blockchain adds value to a specific use case, rather than just generalizing its effects. We need to manage our expectations and take a more realistic approach in developing it, because at the end of the day, you can’t place all your hopes and dreams into blockchain… it’s just a technology.”

Back in Yangpu District’s Bay Valley, Ding is showing me around one of the partially renovated floors of Tower C7 – the Blockchain Building. “Look outside the window,” she says, pointing at the new campus of Fudan University. “Tongji University and the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology [and several other distinguished higher education institutions] are all nearby. Yangpu District, and the city of Shanghai, certainly has what it takes to become an innovation hub for blockchain technology. There are many young tech talents here.”

Following her gaze, I can almost imagine the future of blockchain happening right in front of me. Almost. At the moment, however, what I’m witnessing is a building – and a dream – that is still under construction.

B

lockchain technologies are most commonly associated with the financial sector, and for obvious reasons. Its origin as the

decentralized ledger for the cryptocurrency bitcoin established a clear link between the system and its financial applications, which for better or for worse has driven the general public’s understanding of this record-keeping tool. But developers have also been coming up with new and expansive ways of implementing blockchain that have the potential to revolutionize entire industries, ranging from the protection of intellectual property to immigration and aviation.

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C

hina’s track record for protecting intellectual property is far from spotless.

While the country’s legislation is on par with that of the international community, enforcing the rules has proven to be a more difficult task. Under China’s official copyright law, foreigners’ and Chinese nationals’ ownership over creative works are protected within the country’s borders. Unauthorized reproductions or use of an artist’s work is a violation of Chinese law and can result in a lawsuit. “On paper, China has met international standards for years, but it’s not always

easy to enforce,” says May Lu, a former partner at Shanghai-based Regulatory and Compliance firm MWE China Law Offices.

Litigation is mainly confined to local courts, she adds, and doesn’t progress to higher levels, resulting in a lack of known precedent through the Supreme People’s Court, and variation on the provincial level.

Because of this, courts do not have a standardized framework on which to base decisions when issuing verdicts about copyright.

While judges in China still struggle to accurately and consistently parse these legal intricacies, blockchain could offer several potential solutions. China-based tech firm Onchain is currently working on developing a token system that would make it easier for independent musicians to protect their IP. Partnering with a Chinese user-generated content platform (think Soundcloud or Bandcamp), musicians on the website will be able to issue tokens to consumers, enabling them to easily keep track of who has permission to play and use their music.

“When you have ownership over the token, you can list it on the IP market, not just on a single-use basis, but you can make it available to those that want to use your music, like a movie company, or I can rent it to you for an event, for example,” senior blockchain solutions specialist Will Liu tells us. Coupled with subtle checkpoints embedded in the songs and dedicated technologies developed to detect these identifiers, they’ve

created a clear-cut system that makes it easy to report those that haven’t obtained the proper licenses. “With the Onchain network, if you have a token that contains enough information to describe the content, we can connect with the online courts and submit the evidence. It’s easy, and helps creators to defend their rights more efficiently without having to go to the courts in person,” Liu continues. More information, more cases filed, and more protocol all means more protection.

“If it’s a clear case and the evidence is solid then the whole process is just streamlined,” he concludes. And with verifiable records and secure transactions, there’s more than enough information to protect and support content creators.

O

nchain acts as the parent company for their nonprofit, public development branch by the name of Ontology – meaning the philosophical study of being. Among the many projects Ontology is looking to get involved with is the UNbacked digital identification initiative ID2020.

“They’re working toward some really interesting things like giving refugees who’ve had to leave their homes means of identification,” Ontology’s Senior Marketing Associate Daniel Assab tells me. “For those that have lost their IDs and papers, this system gives them proof of land titles and country of residence among other things, helping to rebuild their identity with blockchain so that they have something tamper proof they can use to cross borders.”

There are a number of ways that blockchain can be used, and is currently being used, to aid in the growing global refugee crisis. In some camps, token systems have been implemented to eliminate the need for physical currencies, enabling resources to be acquired and distributed in an easily traceable and controlled way. As of 2017, blockchain is also being used to help asylum seekers effectively integrate in Finland through the use of blockchain debit cards, effectively replacing a bank account, linking financial transactions to individuals and ensuring a certain amount of financial security for newcomers.

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Along the lines of digitized national identity, using blockchain to collect and share medical records enables refugees to provide healthcare providers with important information about their family and personal histories. What Ontology does in creating high-performance public ledgers is part of what enables these kinds of systems to exist, building frameworks that support chain networks for other developers to plug into, so to speak. After the cryptocurrency bubble burst, organizations focusing on the effective and productive use of blockchain are finding it easier to connect on an international level to address problems on a global scale. “In 2017, there was a lot of interest in the industry but mainly for short-term speculation and investment,” Assab says. “Now that the hype is over, we’re in the midst of a really nice period where there are only people interested in the technology and what we can really do with it, meaning we can start focusing on some of the goals that the ledger was written to accomplish.”

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B

ased in Hong Kong and Bangkok, Block Aero has applied the same idea to the aviation industry in a centralized network that connects airlines, leasing companies, maintenance service providers and suppliers. Historically, documentation of aircraft maintenance and repair has been dominated by paper, making records susceptible to loss and alteration. Last month’s Boeing 737 Max 8 crash on Ethiopian Airlines highlighted the risks posed by such a process. Engineers from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have even gone on record to say there wasn’t a complete review of the documentation, and the Seattle Times has cited flaws and oversight in the initial reports handed over from Boeing to the FAA. While the industry itself has some of the highest international safety standards, the paper-based model leaves those in the supply chain vulnerable.

“Blockchain gives a new way for government regulators to oversee and establish industry-wide safety standards, which are especially important when there are such high stakes,” Block Aero founder Todd Siena tells me. “The paper-based nature of flight and maintenance records is inefficient, and when it comes to collaborating on aviation assets and data sharing, it’s cumbersome and time-consuming.”

After 10 years of working with members in the airplane manufacturing industry, Siena saw an opportunity to utilize a blockchain-based platform to connect and consolidate information with regards to aviation assets and data sharing. The decentralized nature ensures that information logged cannot be altered or revisited, relieving pressure on the engineering teams while ensuring that aircraft get the attention they need. Having all members of the supply chain on the network means that everyone has access to complete histories, creating a level of transparency that is simply incapable of occurring outside a digital network. Another positive effect of consolidating records is that it has the potential to create opportunities for private repair contactors – like a doctor making house calls. If an airline needs something relatively simple fixed in a short period of time, they have the ability to access a vehicle’s ‘complete medical history’ and make informed decisions.

Blockchain technology and its implementation are still in their infancy, and these early players spend a lot of time educating companies and individuals about the tools they’re building and how they can improve efficiency within an industry. “Many successful startups are comprised of people with various [career backgrounds] who can go to other sectors and provide real solutions to real problems.

Whereas, a group of tech guys might struggle to explain how blockchain can help grow other businesses,” Siena adds. In China, for instance, there are more and more of those forwardthinking entrepreneurs who see the value of security and transparency that comes with blockchain applications, and that seems to be one direction in which industries are headed.

FOOD, DRINK

& EVENTS

Right About Meow Four cat cafes to check out in Guangzhou, p50

IN GUANGZHOU

Over the Hill P56 44 | GZ | APRIL 2019 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM 44 | GZ | APRIL 2019 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Because I'm Hoppy P57

BEER OF THE MONTH

CHA CHAAN TANG GOSE A Boozy Take on a Hong Kong Classic

By Bryan Grogan

A cha chaan tang, or cha canting (茶餐厅), is a tea restaurant regularly found in Guangdong, as well as Hong Kong and Macau. In these affordable hole-in-the-wall cafes, you’ll regularly find a salted lime drink that is popular across the Greater Bay Area. Taking these citrusy drinks as the inspiration for their Cha Chaan Tang Gose, Young Master Brewery combine the tartness of lime with the salty, midrange alcohol level of a gose, creating a refreshing, delicious brew that tastes something like a cider.

A

ccording to Conde Nast Traveler, Young Master can be credited as the catalyst that kick-started the Hong Kong craft brewing revolution back in 2013. Their Cha Chaan Tang Gose was initially conceived as a seasonal sud, but because of the familiarity of the flavor, this drink immediately struck a chord with drinkers and has since become one of the brewery’s most iconic beers.

The Hong Kong brewery recently opened their very first China-based outlet, in Shenzhen’s Upper Hills development. Their brews are easily accessible, and customers based in Shenzhen can actually request canned drafts from the store, as they are set up with their own canning machine. Young Master has also been active in placing their drinks in a number of bars throughout Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai. According to staff at Young Master, our Northern friends may be familiar with the brewery’s Island 1842 Imperial IPA, which comes in at a hot 8 percent ABV and 80 IBU. On the other hand, Cha Chaan Tang Gose is a pleasing 4.5 percent ABV and 15 IBU. The popularity of this particular brew in South China can be attributed to the difference in weather conditions between the North and South regions of China. The guys at Young Master Shenzhen actually keep a large jar of fermenting salted limes behind the bar, which allows visitors to catch a glimpse of the process these fruits go through before the flavor can be added to the gose proper.

Cha Chaan Tang Gose is available via Young Master’s WeChat account (ID: 灌馆 goon goon) for RMB40 per bottle (although, until the end of April you can purchase six bottles for only RMB120).

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GRAPE VINE THE SCANDALOUS SCOOP

WE TRY IT

We’re digging: Bella Pupa Silkworm Snack

Mercato’s new brunch menu, it’s f-ing epic; mounds of raw salmon at a new Zhujiang New Town-based sushi shop (page 55); Gaga Cafe’s epic scrambled eggs with crab meat (page 54); Taikoo Hui’s Fangsuo Commune being awarded 'Bookstore of the Year' by the London Book Fair; and a new music venue, Freestyle Livehouse, on Beijing Lu.

We’re done with:

The closure of Hill Bar, which was located near the Baiyun Hotel and was one of Guangzhou’s earliest Western-style bars (page 56); bug-based snacks; the fact Shenzhen – not Guangzhou – was chosen as the location of pioneering Hong Kong brewery Young Master’s first China venue; and, finally, cat cafes – we visited way too many coffee shops with cats last month (page 50).

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The latest trend in sustainable snacks is bug food.

That is, food literally made out of insects.

While we’ve previously heard of cricket farming and cricket protein bars, we only recently stumbled across a creepy-crawly product that was entirely new to us: silkworm wheat chips. Made by Shanghaibased company Bugsolutely, the Bella Pupa Silkworm Snack is allegedly the world’s first-ever silkworm-powder snack. It’s also the world’s first edible bug product to be made in the Middle Kingdom.

Ever curious, we snagged a couple of bags to try and – as always – report back to you, our dear, food-curious readers.

The design of the packaging is enticingly similar to that of a yellow bag of Lay’s Original Chips. The info on the bag informs us that the chips are made with 20 percent silkworm powder and that there are 12 grams of protein for every 100 grams.

Upon opening the bag, we discover that – in true potato chip fashion – the bag is only 25 percent full of very thin crisps. The rest? Air. Disappointing, but unsurprising.

Popping some of the insect chips in our mouths, the initial flavor leaves us wondering ‘what is that?’ as our brows collectively wrinkle in that classic can’t-quite-remember face.

The taste is salty and savory, yet rather earthy or musky, like the way socks might smell after

a long run...

The mouthfeel, though, is where things get really weird, with an unmistakable slimy feeling. Worse yet, knowing the chips are made with worms makes the perceived sliminess a tad uncomfortable.

While we wouldn’t recommend this bugbased chip, we have to give Bugsolutely credit for taking us out of our comfort zone.

E D I T O R . P R D @ U R B A N A T O M Y. C O M

WHAT’S ON WAIMAI

Finger Lickin’ Seoul Food While dim sum and cha shao are both delicious in their own right, we all need a little soul food from time to time. In this case, the food we’re thinking of is tender fried chicken at Seoul Station. So, this month we focus our taste buds on some crispy chicken goodness, steering clear of KFC in the process.

At Seoul Station, their half chicken basket (RMB46) and full chicken basket (RMB76) are great for self-indulgence or a small office party. The chicken comes with the sauce on the side so it’s not soggy on arrival; however, you may want to request extra, as we’ve learned

from previous orders.

The chicken, which comes either bone-in or boneless, is big and juicy, packing a ton of tender meat inside a golden crispy coating. If you’re hankering for some Seoul food, you know where to find it online.

Price: RMB46-76 Good for: soul (Seoul) food, fried chicken lovers, small office parties Search for: 首尔站韩式炸鸡 (Shouerzhan Hanshi Zhaji) Available on: Meituan

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E AT & DR INK | F E AT UR E

TRADE FAIR TASTES Places to Wine, Dine and Party During Canton Fair

By Rakini Bergundy

It’s that time of the year again in Guangzhou, folks, Canton Fair time. Whether you’re a visitor to our fair city or a local looking to try something new, we’ve rounded up a selection of awesome spots to visit over the course of this season’s trade fair. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for epic local eats, a healthy Western meal, a boozy night on the town, or even delicious Mexican food, this guide has you covered!

Slow Life Kitchen

Wholesome edibles crafted with organic ingredients have gained traction in Guangzhou over the past couple years, with diners in the city taking an increasingly health-conscious approach to dining. Slow Life Kitchen Elite popped up this past summer to cater to this growing market. The restaurant aims to introduce patrons to the ‘rarity’ of authentic Western fare through a selection of well-crafted, eye-pleasing dishes and a delectable array of tapas. Highlights from the tapas menu include the highly-recommended Spanish-style garlic shrimp (RMB75), a full-flavored dish with thumb-sized crustaceans steeped in a sour and spicy soup, as well as the roasted asparagus and scallops with truffle cream sauce (RMB90), which mashes up flavors to deliver a juicy yet delicate mouthful of shellfish. During the Canton Fair, dine at Slow Life Kitchen Elite and get 10 percent off your bill by showing your exhibitor’s pass.

Scan the QR code for listing information for both Slow Life Kitchen and Slow Life Kitchen Elite.

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F E AT UR E | E AT & DR INK

BingSheng Mansion Canton is famous for its cuisine and you can’t visit Guangzhou without experiencing dim sum. Bing Sheng is the perfect spot as it has a few locations, making it convenient to dine at no matter where you stay. Masterpieces include the crispy pork, goose and steamed buns. Don’t pass up the pineapple buns, crispy and sweet on top with pineapple chunks stuffed inside, or the deep-fried lotus root stuffed with prawn, which is our favorite dish.

Scan the QR code for listing information for Bing Sheng Mansion and other Bing Sheng locations.

W SUNS Club W SUNS club is unquestionably one of Guangzhou’s hottest party destinations, popular with both local expats and visitors from around the world.

Staffed by expert bartenders, guests at W SUNS can be sure that they will receive high-quality beverages that help them unwind after a long, hot South China day. The club also offers a number of drink promotions, including a free flow cocktail deal which runs from Sunday to Thursday, 9pm-midnight, and costs only RMB148.

Additionally, W SUNS is staffed by some of the most well-known DJs in town, who keep the dance floor hoppin’ all night long. With great music, drinks and a luxurious interior design, when you enter this popular Guangzhou nightclub, you’ll feel like you’ve left China and been transported to a party place in Europe or North America.

Better yet, W SUNS is located near the Canton Fair grounds, which makes the venue a convenient spot to party for those of you who’ll be spending time there this month.

Scan the QR code for listing information.

Zapata’s Zapata’s has something for everyone, whether it is a quiet drink or an outrageous party. The ground floor features a huge bar top where you’re encouraged to dance the night away as DJs, the Money Maker Party Band and Tequila Girls perform the biggest hits from the last four decades. Located in Party Pier, just a stone’s throw away from the Canton Fair complex, the hot venue also comes with an outstanding riverside terrace, which is perfect for an evening of drunken merrymaking. Show your exhibitor’s pass and get a 15 percent discount during the Canton Fair.

Scan the QR code for listing information.

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E AT & DR INK | F E AT UR E

RIGHT ABOUT MEOW Four Cat Cafes to Check Out in Guangzhou

By Tristin Zhang

Cats have a well-deserved reputation as a lazy man’s pet, largely due to the fact that they groom themselves, sleep a lot and only occasionally need a pat on the head. That being said, feline keepers do have to clean poo and clip their pet’s nails, both chores we can say from experience are not overtly fun. But that’s where cat cafes come in: you

pay to play with kitties and leave the poopscoopin’ to someone else.

The Oxford English Dictionary officially adopted the words ‘cat cafe’ into their dictionary in 2015, attesting to the proliferation and popularity of the concept.

The first cat cafe opened in 1998 in Taipei, but it wasn’t until much more recently that

Meow Cafe (Beijing Lu) 就是这样的喵 Located near popular foodie hangout Beijing Lu, Meow Cafe is popular with young urbanites and, when we visited on a weekday evening, a throng of curious pedestrians were standing around outside taking photos.

Upon entering the cramped shop, visitors are asked to remove their shoes and put on plastic foot covers, as well as wash their hands. Store policy is as follows: you can stay for no more than two hours, there’s no admittance of children under 6 years old, each customer must order at least one drink or food item and those afraid of being scratched or bitten should reconsider their visit. Another rule states that visitors are not allowed to hold or cuddle the cats. Staff will also warn visitors about engaging with four particularly fierce cats whose mugshots adorn the walls: Blue, Old Yellow, Yuanyuan and Little Tramp.

The three-year-old cat cafe offers reasonably priced set meals that feed one, two or four patrons. Prices for drinks, however, are steep, with the price of a cup of coffee starting at RMB40.

It’s also worth noting that those in Haizhu can visit Meow Cafe’s second location, which is on Gexin Lu near Taigucang Wharf.

Open daily, 12.30-10pm (Mon-Fri), noon-10.30pm (Sat-Sun); 1 Jiaoyu Lu, Yuexiu District 越秀区教育 路1号 (134 3024 2456)

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copycats began to pop up on the Chinese mainland. Now, you can find cat cafes in many of China’s largest cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and, of course, Guangzhou.

Below, we introduce you to four felinefriendly cafes in Guangzhou that you can check out right meow!

F E AT UR E | E AT & DR INK

Release Pressure Cat Coffee 释压猫屋 Tucked away in a small residential neighborhood near Tiyu Xi Lu, Release Pressure Cat Coffee is located on the second floor of an apartment building and houses 12 cats. Amongst the felines prowling in the coffee shop are species such as British shorthair, Persian longhair, ragdoll and Maine coon, and 11 of the shop’s cats were raised by store owner Li Peiwen.

Li, who is in his 20s, opened Release Pressure two months ago after becoming what he bizarrely describes as a “slave to cats.”

Unlike Meow Cafe, this coffee shop is spacious enough that customers won’t feel cramped, and Li and his helper start and end each day by sterilizing the room to ensure the shop is clean and as hygienic as possible. One of the main fixtures of the space is a giant wood-block ‘tree,’ which is there to satisfy the cats’ desire to climb stuff.

As far as culinary offerings go, the cafe serves tasty cakes and fruity beverages and guests are required to purchase a drink (RMB28 for a glass of juice).

Open daily, 3-10pm (Mon), 1-10pm (Tue-Sun); Room 205, 4 Liuyun Er Jie, Tianhe Nan Yi Lu, Tianhe District 天河区天河南一路六运二街4号205室 (158 0000 7229)

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Galaxy Cat 猫星系 Set in the shadow of the mighty Canton Tower is Galaxy Cat, a shop that feels more like a cat-lover convention than an actual business. It attempts to stand out from other catfocused cafes by hosting weekly role-playing board game events and a music night.

A total of 11 cats roam the two-floor cafe, 10 of which were specifically purchased to help offer young singles an ‘emotional anchor.’ The only kitty owned by Galaxy Cat’s proprietor is an old white ragdoll named Duoduo.

This shop’s menu focuses mainly on beverages and snacks. The fried fish balls cost RMB25 and we find them decidedly average. That said, one particular cat seemed to like the fishy snack and hopped up on the table to come take a look at our food.

Following in the footsteps of other cat cafes, Galaxy Cat asks for a RMB25 entrance fee.

Regulars are encouraged to purchase a membership card, which entitles them to an extra RMB50 for every card top-up of RMB200.

Open daily, 1.30-9.30pm; Shop 006, 1/F, Building A, Dijing Huayuan, 289 Huayi Lu, Haizhu District 海珠区华艺路289号帝景华苑A座1楼006铺 (189 2275 3314)

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More Than Meow 猫主题吴止猫餐吧 The first thing that grabbed our attention after entering More Than Meow was the animal odor that hung about the place. Inside, a number of cats were showcased in a glass room near the stairs leading to the second floor. A few felines wandered about, and occasionally a hairless Sphinx cat jumped onto our table.

What sets this venue apart from the others on this list is the fact that it isn’t a cafe. With a full menu of Western and Japanese dishes, including pasta, steak, German sausages and unagi rice, among others, we consider More Than Meow a full-fledged restaurant.

Drink options here are numerous and range from alcoholic beverages such as wine, to coffee, milk tea and milkshakes.

Open daily, noon-10.30pm (Mon-Fri), noon-11pm (Sat-Sun); Dabancang Creative Park, 1904 Huandao Lu, Haizhu District 海珠区环岛路1904号大阪仓产业创意园 (3888 8075)

Note: none of the cafes featured in this list allow customers to bring their own pets. Also, if you do choose to visit one of these locations, remember that flash photography is not a good idea around cats.

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GAGA CAFE

A Brunch Waiting to Happen

By Ryan Gandolfo

The Place After finding success at a number of venues across Shenzhen, Gaga has brought their talents to Canton. The cafe, which does not appear to be related to Lady Gaga in anything other than name, occupies a large space inside the OneLink Walk building across the

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street from Grandview Mall.

The location of Gaga Cafe is good, by our assessment, as hordes of people funnel past it on a daily basis en route to the office building and mall adjacent to OneLink Walk.

The Food

Gaga serves up a variety of gastronomic delights, ranging from salads and rice dishes to burgers and brunch omelettes. They also boast a full harvest of fruit juices, combining ingredients like lime and watermelon to give you something fresh and thirst-quenching.

We, however, opted for the sea salt cheese coffee (RMB32), and we’d be lying if we said it wasn’t solely because of the name. It turned out surprisingly good, though, with a cheesy topping similar to what you’d find at HEYTEA, and was quite filling for what was essentially an Americano.

Foodwise, Gaga has separate menus catering to the time of day you are visiting, with food lists for brunch, lunch and dinner.

We popped in shortly after the shop opened for the day (doors open at 10am) and ordered the scrambled eggs with crabmeat and green apple salad on toast (RMB65). The dish hit the spot and came with a portion size that put many of Guangzhou’s other purveyors of brekkie to shame.

Other food options included the avocado guacamole with nachos (RMB58) and the edgy Wagyu blend burger with durian and melted cheese (RMB98). The shop also specializes in cakes and a number of delectable dessert items are displayed at the checkout counter.

The Vibe

The cafe has a chill atmosphere, although on our visit the peace and quiet was broken by a group of barbaric contractors finishing up renos. With no shortage of indoor seating options, as well as an outdoor patio, Gaga Cafe is accommodating to all sorts of groups. On our visit we saw laptops out and meetings taking place at what seemed like (for some, anyway) an office away from the office.

Good for: big brunches, long chats, casual work meetings Who’s going: brunchers, craft coffee cravers, working professionals Price: RMB100 Nearest metro: Shipaiqiao (Exit A), 5 minutes’ walk

Open daily, 10am-10pm (doors open at 10am, food service begins at 10.30am); Shop L1-22, OneLink Walk, 230-232 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District 天河区天河路 230-232号万菱汇L1-22号铺 (8709 6321)

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DIRECTOR YANG’S RESTAURANT AND SAKE BAR Slammin’ Salmon

By Ryan Gandolfo

The Place Guangzhou certainly has its fair share of Japanese liaoli (translated as ‘cuisine’).

Whether you’re in the heart of the city or the outer edges of Haizhu or Baiyun, you’re bound to come across a shop serving up the East Asian cuisine that’s famous for raw fish and savory noodle bowls.

Located on Huajiu Lu, Director Yang’s Restaurant and Sake Bar is the latest Japanese spot to sprout up along the popular Zhujiang New Town F&B street. Beyond the entryway of the shop, you’ll find a bar on the left and two rows of tables on the right, with the only natural light coming in through the main door and bar window.

The Food

While perusing the menu we saw a nice variety of options for folks that aren’t into sushi, so if you’re not a fan of raw fish, don’t be deterred.

We decided to take advantage of their lunch special, chinook salmon rice (RMB108), which can easily feed two. The special starts with a dense miso soup, which met our high standards, and a crunchy salad topped with an incredibly creamy dressing.

After the starters, the salmon slammer came. The eatery’s chef emerged from the kitchen and presented us with a bowl of fluffy rice, before topping the white grains with a literal pile of salmon flesh, Watching the salmon get stacked like a tower was truly a thing of gastronomic beauty. However, the quality of salmon wasn’t anything to write home about, with a mixture of both chewy and tender pieces that could be off-putting to some.

We’d be remiss to not mention the Japanese sake and whiskey offerings on hand.

Although, as you may expect, the top-shelf booze here is aimed at very special celebrations, indicated by its high price point.

Good for: fresh seafood, sake celebrations, big meals Who’s going: those tired of Western food, Zhujiang New Towners, sharks Price: RMB100-150 Nearest metro: Zhujiang New Town (Exit B1), 10 minutes’ walk Open daily, 11am-2pm, 5pm-11pm; 21 Huajiu Lu, Tianhe District 天河区华就路21号 (155 2142 4269)

The Vibe

While we caught the tail end of their lunchtime rush, we got the impression Director Yang’s isn’t a terribly busy eatery, possibly due to the fact it is surrounded by a number of wellestablished and popular restaurants. But it’s worth noting that the servers and kitchen staff were accommodating and the shop appeared clean. Those two factors, combined with some decent eats, make this new Japanese spot worthy of a visit.

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OVER THE HILL

One of Guangzhou’s Oldest Pint Pouring Establishments Closes Its Doors

By Matthew Bossons

G

uangzhou recently lost an iconic part of its F&B heritage: Hill Bar. Located outside the Baiyun Hotel near exit B of Metro Line 5’s Taojin Station, Hill Bar poured pints in the same spot for roughly 20 years.

When we visited the bar last month, the establishment was locked up tight and it was quickly confirmed by a number of local F&B insiders that Hill Bar has indeed closed its doors.

Talk to any longtime Guangzhou expat and they’ll tell you that the area around the Baiyun Hotel extending down Jianshe Liu Malu was Guangzhou’s original party place and the closure of Hill Bar marks the end of an era. “[It was] the best bar location in Guangzhou,” said one nearby F&B purveyor, referencing Hill Bar’s prime, hilltop real estate. “Any bar guy will tell you that.”

While the closure of Hill Bar is undoubtedly a sad turn of events for all of us good-time-lovin’ folks, it’s not the first bar

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to close on the section of Huanshi Dong Lu that buttresses the Baiyun and Garden hotels. Down the road from the now-defunct Hill Bar, in the building now occupied by Mado, the famous (or infamous, depending who you talk to) Elephant & Castle was a popular boozing and football-watching location until its closure in 2012.

Now, arguably the only decent spot to grab a drink on the north side of Huanshi Dong Lu is Mango Bar. While we’re sure our readers will have no shortage of their own special memories at Hill Bar, we want to finish this story off by sharing one of our own: the time Hill Bar hosted the first-ever In-N-Out Burger pop-up restaurant in Guangzhou.

Admittedly, we aren’t turning the clocks back too far on this one, as the fast food pop-up occurred back in October of last year, but it was a really memorable event for lovers of burgers, fast food goodness and tacky T-shirts.

The pop-up kitchen was managed by

three chefs visiting from the United States and all the sauces used in the food were imported. The man running the operation, American Eric Billings, told us at the time that the event was intended to introduce Guangzhouers to the chain’s sinfully-good eats.

Despite the pop-up being an extremely well-kept secret, a crowd of In-N-Out-lovin’ expats and curious locals turned up to stuff exquisitely prepared double cheeseburgers into their mouths.

It was a hell of a time, and we’re sad that Hill Bar won’t be hosting another such pop-up event in the future. Although, we should note that if rumors are correct, it sounds like a major American fast food chain may be taking over the space in the coming months.

Rest easy, Hill Bar, we’ll miss you.

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BECAUSE I’M HOPPY

A Brief History of India Pale Ale, That IPA You're Drinking

By Chris Foste

Y

ou either love it or you don’t. But if you love it, you really love it.

The IPA is a style first brewed by the English, but after a short hiatus, was rejuvenated by the Americans. But what qualities does IPA have to keep the craft beer nerd returning to the bar for another glass? In order to understand this unique beer style, one must first understand the origins of the brew.

The name IPA (pronounced ‘eye-peeay’, not ‘ee-pa’) stands for India Pale Ale. However, this beer was never actually brewed in India. During 1800s, the British occupied India and were constantly sending supplies to the sultry region, including beer.

This was due to the sweltering climate; the British were unable to brew any sort of beer, and were forced to import their ales from their homeland, a mere four-to-sixmonth voyage away. This extended time on the heated road could sour the beer and render it undrinkable. Instead of risking large batches of beer going to waste, brewers discovered a new brewing method to increase the durability of the beer.

After experimenting with recipes, brewers learned that by overly hopping a beer, the hops would bolster the acids in the beer, which combats bacteria growth, greatly reducing the chance of spoiling. For this reason, IPA was often marketed in the UK as

‘Indian Beer’ or ‘beer for a warmer climate.’

This style was decently popular, but eventually the demand died with the invention of refrigerated transportation. However, IPA did reemerge as a popular beer, but not until the late 20th century, and not by the British, but from their neighbors across the pond.

In the 1980s, craft beer began to crop up all around America. Lagers saturated the market, and the average beer consumer was searching for something with bigger and bolder taste. Home brewing was gaining popularity and the demand for new recipes was growing as well.

These century-old beer recipes from the UK were something the Americans had never encountered, but they instantly loved them. In a green flash, IPA had risen from the dead, with breweries such as Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Karl Strauss Brewing Company creating demand amongst the thirsty American population.

The bitter flavor and strong nature of the beer piqued the interest of beer connoisseurs. The rebirth of the IPA was upon us; a fresh, crisp and bitter beer focused on brewing with hops. From here, the style once again spread around the world and grew into the beer we know and love today.

But what is unique about IPA? What is the characteristic that sets it apart from

other styles, creating a cult-like following of consumers? Simple: the hops.

An ingredient in beer that can massively influence the flavor of beer, the hops adds the bitterness that balances the overall beer flavor.

It all depends on how many and how much ingredients are used to brew; the more hops you use, the more bitter, or hoppier the taste.

Occasionally, an IPA will be described as hoppy, which actually doesn’t refer to the bitterness of the beer, but instead to the other fruity, floral, piney or other aromas and flavors derived from various strains of hops.

A notoriously aromatic beer, the IPA attracts craft-heads with its scent and taste.

Stick your nose in a freshly poured glass of IPA, take a big whiff and start drinking to understand the full experience. Try this with a glass of Hoppyalis.

A juicy IPA with a fantastic aroma, the Aurora Hoppyalis from Karl Strauss Brewing Company is a robust IPA with 7 percent ABV and a solid bitterness that IPA lovers crave.

This beer also carries with it that ‘hoppy’ trait that is desired by the IPA cult, with strong fruit flavors that complement the bitterness, finishing dry and crisp.

A South Californian-style IPA infamous for its tropical, citrusy and piney flavors and aromas, the Aurora Hoppyalis and beers like it helped construct the industry-standard, known worldwide as the India Pale Ale. WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | APRIL 2019 | GZ | 57

School of Rock the Musical

Descendents Pop Punk

HEAR Valery Afanassiev

Classical Piano

Valery Afanassiev is an author, poet and, most important of all, a pianist.

Considered by many to be one of the most influential pianists in Europe, the Russian musician is acclaimed for interpreting classical pieces by such legendary composers as Beethoven and Schubert. Known to perform pieces at an “extraordinarily slow” pace, his shows offer music fans the chance to experience familiar tunes in an entirely new way.

Fri-Sat Apr 12-13, 7.30pm; RMB180580. Guangzhou Opera House, 1 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District 天河区 珠江西路1号广州大剧院 (gzdjy.org)

School of Rock is the latest work by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the living legend that brought you immortal works such as The Phantom of the Opera and Cats. The musical will arrive in Guangzhou this month, where audiences can enjoy their favorite moments from the hit film reimagined as a musical.

Tue-Sun Apr 19-28, 2.30pm/7.30pm; RMB199-999. Guangzhou Opera House, 1 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District 天河区珠江西路1号广州大剧院 (247tickets.com, gzdjy.org)

WIN! We have tickets to this performance to give away! Message our official WeChat account (ThatsGuangzhou) before April 17 with the subject ‘School of Rock’ and why you should win. Please include your full name and contact number.

WIN! We have tickets to this show to give away! Message our official WeChat account (ThatsGuangzhou) before April 10 with the subject ‘Valery’ and why you should win. Please include your full name and contact number.

Descendents, formed in 1977, are the earliest pioneers of US pop punk and have been at the forefront of the West Coast hardcore punk movement since its genesis in the late 1970s. Founding drummer, Bill Stevenson, is one of the most recognizable and respected drummers of the genre, having played for Black Flag during their most daring and genre-bending years.

Mon Apr 29, 9pm; RMB280 presale, RMB330 at the door. SD Livehouse, Building No. 7, Huacheng Wangshi Creative Area, 132 Gongye Dadao Bei, Haizhu District 海珠区工业大道北 132号花城往事创意园7栋 (247tickets. com)

Lumina Coeli – Girls’ Choir of France

Karen Souza China Tour 2019 Jazz

Castle in the Sky Movie

Scores

The classics of Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki come to life this month at Guangzhou’s Xinghai Concert Hall in an audiovisual extravaganza.

Performers from some of the country’s best conservatories will come together to deliver a sensational, family-friendly musical rendering of such pioneering anime works as Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro and Valley in the Sky. Sun Apr 28, 8pm; RMB80-380.

Xinghai Concert Hall, 33 Qingbo Lu, Ersha Island, Yuexiu District 越秀区二 沙岛晴波路33号星海音乐厅 (247tickets.com, ticket-easy.cn) 58 | GZ | APRIL 2019 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Many grand occasions have been graced by the sweet serenade of Lumina Coeli – Girls’ Choir of France, among the most celebrated all-girls choirs in Europe. As a choir of the Masters of the Cathedral of Autun, the troupe offers children from kindergarten to high school the chance to receive musical training on school time.

Don’t miss this opportunity to catch them live in concert at the Guangzhou Opera House this month!

Sun Apr 14, 7.30pm; RMB80-680. Guangzhou Opera House, 1 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District 天河区珠江西路1号广州大剧院 (247tickets.com, gzdjy.org)

WIN! We have tickets to this performance to give away! Message our official WeChat account (ThatsGuangzhou) before April 12 with the subject ‘Coeli’ and why you should win. Please include your full name and contact number.

Her involvement in the production of the Jazz & 80s album series helped Karen Souza to garner a legion of fans. The Argentinian women began her career singing lounge-jazz versions of hit songs from the 1970s-90s. Today, the jazzwoman and bossa nova singer-songwriter has four albums to her name and always plays to a sold-out crowd.

Mon Apr 29, 8pm; RMB100-580.

Xinghai Concert Hall, 33 Qingbo Lu, Ersha Island, Yuexiu District 越秀区二 沙岛晴波路33号星海音乐厅 (247tickets.com, ticket-easy.cn)

The Merchant of Venice (Chinese)

Jane Eyre Drama

SEE Peppa Pig Live!

Everyone’s favorite pig is returning to Guangzhou to entertain fans with magic, balloons and all her usual mischief.

This English production sees Peppa Pig hit the stage to wow audiences in a new live musical performance that’s more fun than a muddy puddle!

Mommy Pig has prepared new songs, games and surprises for audience members, and all of Peppa’s friends are invited to join in the celebration and create some treasured memories. This 90-minute show is recommended for children from 3 years old and up.

Sat-Sun Apr 6-7, 10.30am/2.30pm /3pm/7pm; RMB180-480. Guangzhou Beilei Theater, 875 Renmin Bei Lu, Yuexiu District 越秀区人民北路875号 广州蓓蕾剧院 (damai.cn)

Most remembered for its dramatic scenes, this comedy by the Bard unfolds through the character Shylock and his famous “Hath not a Jew eyes?” speech, only in this rendition it is delivered in Mandarin Chinese. Come experience the competing claims of tolerance and intolerance, justice and mercy, as The Merchant of Venice gets a Chinese makeover.

Tue-Sun Apr 9-14, 3pm/7.45pm; No. 13 Theater, 13 Xiner Jie, Shaheding, Tianhe District 天河区沙河顶新二街13号十三号剧院 (damai.cn)

British director Sally Cookson has challenged herself by adapting one of the most beloved love stories of all time, Jane Eyre. Cookson’s take on the classic tale is a celebration of womanhood and focuses on the heroine’s personal journey, as opposed to her relationship with Rochester.

Sun Apr 14, 7pm; RMB150.

Guangzhou Opera House, 1 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District 天河区珠江西路 1号广州大剧院 (247tickets.com, gzdjy. org)

Mi Carmen Flamenco White Water, Little Dust Modern Dance

Guangdong Dances

This dance performance is a composite of a myriad of different dance styles found across Guangdong province.

Experience the majesty of the famous lion dance, along with the Yao minority’s drum dance and the Chaoshan Yingge dance, among others, many of which are listed as intangible heritages of China. The show is comprised of 20 programs and will be staged by the fabulous South China Normal University Dance Troupe.

Tue Apr 9, 7.30pm; RMB180/280, RMB80 for students. Guangzhou Opera House, 1 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District 天河区珠江西路1号广州大剧院 (gzdjy.org)

Taiwanese dancer, writer and choreographer Lin Hwai-min founded Cloud Gate Dance Theatre in 1973. Since its inception, the dance troupe has gone on to garner critical acclaim in the world of modern dance, which helped Lin to win the American Dance Festival Award for ‘lifetime achievement in modern dance.’ This captivating performance will see two separate dance works staged directly next to each other, offering the audience a dramatic visual contrast.

Fri-Sat Apr 12-13, 7.30pm; RMB80-880. Guangzhou Opera House, 1 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District 天河区珠江西路1号广州大剧院 (gzdjy.org)

Born in a village with traditional flamenco heritage near Seville, Spain, flamenco artist Antonio Andrade grew up among aficionados of this eyecatching art form. Serving as the artistic director of Antonio Andrade Flamenco Company, the Spanish artist has created many successful productions enjoyed by audiences the world over, including this rendition of Carmen.

Sat Apr 27, 8pm; RMB100-680. Xinghai Concert Hall, 33 Qingbo Lu, Ersha Island, Yuexiu District 越秀区二沙岛晴 波路33号星海音乐厅 (247tickets.com, ticket-easy.cn)

WIN! We have tickets to this performance to give away! Message our official WeChat account (ThatsGuangzhou) before April 10 with the subject ‘White Water’ and why you should win. Please include your full name and contact number.

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TA S T E

Tangerine-Themed Afternoon Tea with Scent Chant

Papaya Chicken Special

Offer

Ladies Night at Connoisseur, LN Garden Hotel

Toss on a pair of high heels, call up your girlfriends and head over to The Connoisseur to enjoy a wide selection of exquisite food and drinks at the restaurant’s popular ladies’ nights, which run from Tuesday to Saturday weekly. Ladies can enjoy an appetizer, main course, dessert and free flow of sparkling, red and white wine for the extremely affordable price of RMB180, while after dinner they can also revel in a 50 percent discount on alcoholic beverages at Lobby Lounge.

Tue-Sat, 6pm-10.30pm; RMB180. The Connoisseur, 3F. LN Garden Hotel, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu, 越秀区环市东 路368号 (189 2625 8321)

Enjoy a spring-scented sensation this month at Pearl Lounge at The RitzCarlton, Guangzhou, as the restaurant partners with French fragrance brand Scent Chant to present the Tangerine Afternoon Tea. Guests can savor the luxurious and fruity afternoon tea, which is served in elegant Legle France Diana collection teaware.

Daily all month, 2-5.30pm; RMB311 per person, RMB536 per couple.

Pearl Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou, 3 Xing’an Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江 新城兴安路3号广州富力丽思卡尔顿酒 店 (3813 6888)

Papaya is in season and Chef Li at Yue Chinese Restaurant of Sheraton Guangzhou Nansha Hotel has some seasonal flavors to offer. Dine on the braised chicken with fish maw and papaya and savor the sweet, natural scent of tropical fruit coupled with tender chicken. It’s a hell of a dish and it’s perfect for summer！ Daily ongoing, all day. Yue Chinese Restaurant, Sheraton Guangzhou Nansha Hotel, 79-80 Haixi Jie, Haibin Lu, Nansha District 南沙区海滨路海熙 大街79-80号广州南沙越秀喜来登酒店 (3900 2288)

Ming Court – A Cantonese Culinary Gem in Town

A Creative Twist with Classic and Authentic Italian Cuisine

All You-Can-Eat Dim Sum At Tea 5

During this festive time of year, the culinary team at Tea 5 is adding a little extra pizzazz to the hotel’s most popular dim sum offering, with the addition of special Chinese New Year dim sum variants. Immerse yourself in a unique dining experience and savor delectable and authentic Cantonese goodies.

Daily ongoing, 10.30am-2.30pm; RMB108 plus 15 percent. Tea 5, LN Hotel Five, Guangzhou, 277 Yanjiang Lu, Yuexiu District. 越秀区沿江中路 277号广州岭南五号酒店1楼 (8931 0505)

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Dedicated to delivering an unrivaled dining experience for its patrons, Ming Court is a Cantonese fine-dining restaurant inspired by its Michelin-starred sister restaurant in Hong Kong. Specializing in Cantonese cuisine, Ming Court offers a rich and comprehensive menu, dishing out business lunch and dinner sets, signature dishes, Cantonese soups and an array of live seafood, among many other local eats.

Lunch: 11am-2.30pm (Mon-Fri)/9am2.30pm (Sat-Sun & public holidays); Dinner: 5.30-10pm (daily). Ming Court, Langham Place, Guangzhou, 638 Xin’gang Dong Lu, Haizhu District 海珠区新港东路638号广州南 丰朗豪酒店明阁 (8916 3388)

Caffe Mondo at Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou is launching a new seasonal menu, which features classic Italian dishes and authentic shareable plates!

The restaurant has put special emphasis on creating fresh, seasonal and authentic edibles and Chef Filippo has designed many of the dishes to feature a creative twist. If you enjoy pasta, you are encouraged to sample the classic Bolognese sauce with spaghetti and the popular squid ink spaghetti, ai frutti di mare. Dessert items are also done big, due to the important role that post-meal sweets have in Italian cuisine. The Four Seasons Guangzhou’s chocolate fondant is the highlight of the dessert menu and is made with 65 percent chocolate.

Daily ongoing, all day; various prices.

Caffe Mondo, Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou, 5 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District 天河区珠江西路5号广州四季 酒店 (8883 3901)

DO

Tickets on Sale for AmCham Spring Ball

Ladies and gents, this is the moment you’ve all been waiting for: AmCham South China’s Spring Ball, which will be held on May 18 and is titled ‘The Greatest Show.’ If you have never attended one of AmCham’s fantastic events, you’ve been seriously missing out. Their events are famous across the Greater Bay Area for their impressive performances, prestigious attendees and delightful food and wine. It’s guaranteed to be a blockbuster night, due in part to the fact it is being held at the alwaysfabulous LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou.

Sounds like an epic time, right? Then trust us when we say that you do not want to miss this party! To reserve your spot, scan the QR code.

May 18, 7pm-late; RMB980-1,280.

LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou. 368 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District 越 秀区环市东路368号 (8333 8989)

HONG KONG & MACAU CALENDAR HK

APR 5-7 FRI-SUN

global electronic artists around.

Shining a light on the Hong Kong underground scene, with performances by the likes of Alexmalism, as well as further afield with awesome acts like Thundercat, Bonobo and Ryan Hemsworth in attendance, this event is one not to be missed by music lovers.

MO

APR 7 SUN

APR 20-21 SAT-SUN

APR 20-21 SAT-SUN Hong Kong Rugby 7s 2019, 8am5pm; various prices. Hong Kong Stadium (Viagogo) One of the world’s premiere rugby events, the Hong Kong Rugby 7s sees fans from all over the world fly into the Fragrant Harbor to watch as some of the best talent in world rugby slog it out. This year’s competition will be supplemented by performances from Gwen Stefani, while boozy crowds will also converge on Hong Kong’s Central Harborfront to catch games on a big screen. Will Fiji be able to defend their title from last year?

Let’s wait and see.

APR 9 TUE

Pinkfong Baby Shark Live Musical, 10.30am, 2pm, 5.30pm; HKD280580. Star Hall (HK Ticketing) While you may not know this, ‘Baby Shark’ was originally a campfire song. The catchy tune caught fire over the past decade, thanks largely to social media, and the work of South Korean education brand, Pinkfong, who released their own version of ‘Baby Shark’ back in 2015. Whether you love the song or hate it, you can sure bet that your kids will enjoy this show.

APR 24 WED World Muay Thai Grand Extreme, 7pm; HKD250-1,000. Star Hall (HK Ticketing) One of the fiercest combat sports around, Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, has become popular all over the world as practitioners of the fighting form crossed over into kickboxing and mixed martial arts.

Catch some of the best fighters in the world this April at this awesome event.

APR 13 SAT

Sonar Hong Kong, 12pm-3am; RMB610-780. Hong Kong Science park (247 Tickets) This 15-hour festival brings together some of the best regional and

Feast of Pak Tai, all day. Pak Tai Temple, Taipa Village Pak Tai’s birthday is on the third day of the third lunar month, which falls on March 30 this year.

In Chinese folk religion, Pak Tai conquered the Demon King, who was terrorizing the universe. As a reward, he was given the title ‘Superior Divinity of the Deep Dark Heaven’ and ‘True Soldier of the North.’ A feast for Pak Tai will be ‘offered’ on this day and Cantonese opera will be performed in a bamboo theater outside the temple.

APR 13 SAT

Macao Arts Festival Cruising, 3.305.30pm; free. Open Space adjacent to Garden of Flower City As part of the celebration of Macao Arts Festival’s 30th anniversary, artists from the Aerial Arts Association and Clube dos Amigos do Riquexó will be presenting acrobatics and stilts performances to spread the festive ambiance to various neighborhoods in the city.

Pinocchio, 3pm/7.30pm; MOP100/140/180. Macau Cultural Center (macauticket.com) Brought to life by Jasmin Vardimon Company, Pinocchio will take audiences on a magical journey, chronicling the story of a little wooden boy who tries to become human.

Scare your offspring into never lying again by bringing them to this fantastic show!

APR 27 SAT

APR 13-MAY 4 VARIOUS DATES

Tom Green Live in Hong Kong, 8.30pm; HKD488-4,000. Grappa’s Cellar (HK Ticketing) Green is perhaps best-known for his turn in Road Trip, but the irreverent comic also rose to fame on MTV during the channel’s heyday with his zany sketch show, The Tom Green Show. These days Green has been doing the rounds of reality TV shows like Celebrity Big Brother and Hell’s Kitchen, although he has found time to appear with the next generation of kooky comedians like Eric Andre.

Harry Potter in Concert, various times; MOP480-1,080. MGM Theater (macauticket.com) This concert is part of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series, which play full-length Harry Potter movies accompanied by a live orchestra.

Fans of the popular JK Rowling fantasy novels will not want to miss this live concert, featuring original movie scores by the renowned John Williams, while reliving the magical experience on MGM Theater’s colossal LED screen.

A-Ma Festival, all day. A-Ma Temple On A-Ma Festival, homage is paid to Macau's most revered deity A-Ma, the goddess of fishermen and other seafarers. Also known as Tin Hau, A-Ma is said to give Macau its name. The story goes that maiden A-Ma ordered the elements to calm down when a storm threatened boats out at sea, one of which she was a passenger on.

When she spoke, the winds abated and a temple was built on the spot where she supposedly landed. To this day, families of fishermen still visit the ancient temple, which was built in 1488.

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HOTEL NEWS NEWS Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou Spring Wedding Show On March 30, in its grand, elegant ballroom, Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou held its Spring Wedding Show in conjunction with Newbury Wedding to showcase wedding themes, gowns, makeup, photo shoots and more.

Andrea Zamboni Appointed Executive Chef of Alfresco at Langham Place, Guangzhou As the new executive chef of Alfresco, Chef Zamboni will use his exquisite and innovative cooking techniques to upgrade traditional Italian cuisine and bring guests authentic Italian dishes.

Michelin Chef René Mathieu at LaBrezza LaBrezza has invited René Mathieu, the chef de cuisine at Chateau de Bourglinster, to The St. Regis Zhuhai to offer gastronomic treats. Mathieu, who was awarded with one Michelin Star in 1988, will collaborate with Michele Tenzone, chef de cuisine of LaBrezza Italian Restaurant, to create a scrumptious lunch and dinner menu.

Seaside Lawn Wedding Venue Opens at The Ritz-Carlton, Sanya Yalong Bay A luxury resort by the Ritz-Carlton Group China, The RitzCarlton, Sanya Yalong Bay is located in Sanya, on China’s southern Hainan Island. With premium service, along with the unique beauty of the sea and the sky, this luxurious hotel is the perfect destination for a seaside lawn wedding.

The St. Regis Chengdu Appoints Tom Tai as General Manager A homegrown talent with solid hospitality experience, Tom Tai is a creative and innovative individual that boasts valuable hospitality experience. Furthermore, he is passionate about mentoring younger hoteliers and helping them develop their own careers.

PROMOTIONS The Newest Jumeirah in Guangzhou Launches 125th Canton Fair Privileges During this month’s Canton Fair, Jumeirah Living Guangzhou is offering a special promotion: RMB1,788 per suite per night. Additionally, guests are able to enjoy a 15 percent discount if they book for three consecutive nights. Valid until May 5, this offer is applicable to classic suites from one to three bedrooms, and includes breakfast for two, welcome fruits, free use of the fitness center and WiFi and late check-out until 3pm (subject to availability). Rates are subject to 16.6 percent service charge and tax.

Jumeirah Living Guangzhou, 16 Xiancun Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城 冼村路16号广州卓美亚礼庭公寓 (8883 8888)

Hyatt Place Changsha Meixihu Opens to Guests The first Hyatt establishment in Changsha opened its door on February 24, offering businesspeople and travelers 158 spacious rooms with modern designs and a relaxing ambiance.

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TRAVEL DEALS The Art of Luxury Cruising The Palace is the “all-inclusive, all-suite” luxury concept onboard the Genting Dream, World Dream and Explorer Dream vessels of Dream Cruises, featuring the charm of a boutique hotel with the exclusivity of a private clubhouse.

It is the largest dedicated ‘ship-within-a-ship’ area at sea, occupying up to 10,000 square meters on each ship, and offers the true Asian luxury cruising experience. Guests will encounter an unprecedented level of service and comfort through its industry leading staff-to-guest ratio of one crew member for each guest, as well as its space ratio of over 80 gross tons per guest. With its lavish dining experience, rich collection of enrichment activities and all-inclusive privileges, The Palace elevates the luxury cruising experience into an art form.

Trips starting from RMB6,199 (Dreamcruiseline.com)

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CITY SCENES Saint Patrick’s Day at Canton Tower (Supported by

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Canton Tower has organized the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Guangzhou for the past seven years, bringing together people from all walks of life for a weekend of fun. The 8th Canton Tower St. Patrick’s Day event was held on March 17 and boy-oh-boy was it a success. The event celebrated Irish culture with a themed parade, Irish dancing, special food and beer offerings, a DIY fair, Celtic bagpipe performances and a whole lot of fun. The Canton Tower even turned green to give Guangzhou a little ‘luck of the Irish.’

Electric Wonderland – White Ibiza Held at W Guangzhou (Supported by

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This epic party brought two of EDM’s hottest names to the W Guangzhou, which was decked out in white and silver, for a night of house, electro, hardstyle, big room, trap and more! Flying in all the way from Ibiza, Spain, DJs JP Candela and Mykris provided Guangzhouers with a memorable night of ‘dancing like no one is watching’ to bangin’ music.

German Chamber Spring Reception 2019 Guangzhou

Kidz With Heart Mini Olympics Returns for Its 8th Year

(Supported by

(Supported by

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On February 27, the German Chamber of Commerce in China | South & Southwest invited its members and long-term partners to attend its Spring Reception to welcome the auspicious Year of the Pig at Park Hyatt Guangzhou. The reception began with an opening speech from Mr. Maximilian Butek, executive director and board member of GCC | SSW. New members and new friends of the chamber had a chance to introduce themselves and their companies on stage, including Park Hyatt Guangzhou, Kaiser Construction Co., Ltd., deVere Group, Certiz Premier Products Ltd., Dongguan Changan Yongyong Silicone Rubber Products Co., Ltd. and PW & Partners Law Firm.

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and

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On March 16, Shekou International School was once again filled with fun and high fives for the eighth annual Kidz With Heart Mini Olympics, the first of two such mini Olympic Games organized by Captivating. A total of 175 kids ages 5 to 11 represented their countries and competed in multiple Olympic-style events. More than 300 parents, 100 volunteers and local businesses supported the event and a great day of fun and excitement was had by all. All funds raised support the work of Captivating and its Chinabased partners helping impoverished children in West China.

CITY SCENES International Women’s Day Round Table (Supported by

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Women from a variety of business and social backgrounds gathered on the evening of March 8 to celebrate Women’s Day at the Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou. The Spanish Chamber of Commerce, along with Global Friendship, the Australian Chamber and Canadian Chamber, hosted the International Women's Day Round Table 2019 to promote women’s empowerment and leadership. At the event, attendees had the opportunity to engage in meaningful and inspiring conversations with other women from diverse professional backgrounds.

European Business in China Awards Gala 2019

Shenzhen British Day a Great Day Out for the Family

(Supported by

(Supported by

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The European Business in China Awards Gala 2019 was recently held in Shenzhen. This event, organized by the European Chamber South China chapter and co-hosted and sponsored by Galaxy Industry Group, aimed to recognize businesses that made exceptional contributions to the business community in both China and Europe. Over 250 representatives from enterprises, government, international schools, consulates and the media attended.

and

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It was a pleasure for all visitors and participants as the British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong brought their signature event – British Day – to guests at Shekou International School. There were family-friendly games at most of the booths, British-style performances on stage, British music and food and an exciting lucky draw with dozens of prizes.

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PRD FOCUS F

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our Seasons Hotel Guangzhou was honored with a five-star rating by the 2019 Forbes Travel Guide in February. Since its opening in 2012, the hotel has consistently been recognized for its iconic design and excellent service.

fter months of preparation, Team #7635 from Shen Wai International School (SWIS) partook in the 2019 Rochester FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) on March 14 and 15. The team earned themselves the Rookie All-Star Award.

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n March, The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou invited guests to join its 2019 Wedding Showcase, the quintessential event for brides and grooms to discover the latest in wedding trends and insights from the city’s leading wedding experts.

n March 6, The British School of Guangzhou’s young musicians traveled to Shanghai for the annual Nord Anglia Performing Arts China orchestral festival.

F

amilies gathered at the French International School of Guangzhou on March 10 for the inaugural Kermesse Francophone, where they were able to participate in activities, games and specialties from French-speaking countries.

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LISTINGS FOOD & DRINK

2) 中山市兴中道7号颐嘉苑2卡

Antidote Restaurant and Bar 39 Qiaoyi Yi Jie, Tianhe Bei Lu, Tianhe District (186 2071 9898) 天河区天河北路侨怡一街 39 号

Oggi Pizzeria 1) Shop 119, 8 Xingsheng Lu, Tianhe District (3805 1282); 4) 1 Tianlun Garden, Jianshe 4 Lu,Yuexiu District (8356 1196) www.oggirestaurant.com 卡布里西餐厅 1) 天河区兴盛路 8 号 119 铺 ; 2) 越 秀区建设四马路天伦花园首层

Aroma Bistro Shop 117, 1/F, Voka Street, 460 Tianhe Bei Lu, Tianhe District (185 0200 1416) 天河区天河北路 460 号沃凯街首层 117 铺

Qing Man Party Restaurant 2/F, B Zone, Party Pier, 118 Modiesha Dajie, Xingang Dong Lu, Haizhu District (8386 6998) 海珠区新港东路磨碟沙大街 118 号琶醍 B 区二楼 Rebel Rebel 42 Tiyu Dong Lu, Tianhe District (8520 1579) 天河区体育东路 42 号

Ricci Creative Eats Shop 015B, G/F, Popark Mall, No.63 Linhe Zhong Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, China (Across the street from IKEA) (3809 6330) 天河区林和中路 63 号东方宝泰购物广场首层（宜 家家居对面）

Join the Bravo Mug Club to enjoy the following benefits: 1) points earned on every RMB1 spent at Bravo; 2) an exclusive pint glass; 3) four E-vouchers that can be redeemed for house brewed beer; and so much more! Annual membership costs RMB288. Visit Bravo for more details.

Bravo Shop 114-115, 6 Huajiu Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District 天河区珠江新城华就路 6 号 114-115 铺

Slow Life An organic, healthconscious Western restaurant that excels in Spanish cuisine, Slow Life aims to be a place where guests can take a break from their busy schedules to visit with friends and family over a feast of delicious fusion dishes. Shop 107, 1/F, Gaozhi Dasha, 120 Huangpu Dadao Xi, Tianhe District; Shop 205, 2/F, Kaihua International Center, 5 Xiancun Lu, Tianhe District 天河区黄埔大道西120号高志大厦首层107铺 (3788 7173, 3788 7172); 天河区冼村路5号凯华国际中心 二楼205铺 (2818 7263) Shami House 2/F, Zhao Qing Da Sha, 304 Huanshi Zhong Lu, Yuexiu District (8355 3012 / 8355 3091) 莎 米 屋 , 越 秀 区 环 市 中 路 304 号 肇 庆 大 厦 2 楼

Buongiorno 1) 3/F, Yi An Plaza, 33 Jianshe Liu Malu, Yuexiu District (8363 3587); 2) A7, Xinshijie Haoyuan Diyi Ju, 168 Dongcheng Nan Lu, Dongguan (0769 2339 6499) 邦奴意大利餐厅 1) 越秀区建设六马路宜安广场 3 楼 ; 2) 东莞市东城南路 168 号新世界豪圆第一居 A7 号

Happy Monk 1) Back of Yi'an Plaza, Jianshe Wu Malu, Yuexiu District (8376 5597) ; 2) No. 109, 7Xingsheng Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3877 8679); 3) Outdoor Plaza, Happy Valley Mall, 36 Machang Lu, Tianhe District (3832 5317) 1) 越秀区建设五马路宜安广场后门 ; 2) 天河区珠江 新城兴盛路 7 号 109 号铺 ; 3) 天河区珠江新城马场 路 36 号太阳新天地户外广场 Hooley’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 1)101, 8 Xingsheng Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3886 2675); 2) Section 2, Yijia Yuan, 7 Xingzhongdao, Zhongshan 1)爱尔兰西餐酒吧, 天河区珠江新城兴盛路8号101;

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Want to see all restaurants, hotels and more in Guangzhou? Check out www.thatsmags.com or follow our official WeChat account by scanning the QR code.

Winner of a That's PRD 2018 Food & Drink Awards

ditional English style bar that fosters a cosy intimate atmosphere. Both Taverns offer an extensive menu of Western favorites and different theme nights throughout the whole week. 1) Poly 108, 6 Huajiu Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (8550 3038); 2) On the right side of the Huanan Country Garden, Yingbin Lu, Panyu District (3482 4882, www.tavernchina.com) 致盛 1) 天河区珠江新城华就路 6 号保利 108 公馆 ; 2) 番禺区迎宾路华南碧桂园大门右侧

Zapata’s Shop A21 Party Pier, Located in Party Pier, just a stone's throw away from the Canton Fair complex, the hot venue also comes with an outstanding riverside terrace, which is perfect for an evening of drunken merrymaking.

Yuejiang Xi Lu, Haizhu District (8977 9596) 海珠区阅江西路珠江啤酒厂琶醍文化区 A21

HEALTH All Smile - Dr. Lu Int’l Dental Clinic Rm 603-604, 6/F, Metro Plaza, 183 Tianhe Bei Lu (24-hour hotline: 8755 3380). Mon-Sat 9am-6pm (other times by appointment) 大都会牙科，天河北路183号大都会广场六楼 603-604 Bellaire Medical Center Rm 302D, Fuli Park, 28 Machang Lu (3891 0511/ 24-hr 152 1881 8990), Bellaireclinic.com 贝利尔诊所， 天河区珠江新城马场路富力公园28 商业区302D Deron Dental 3905-3909/F, Tianying Plaza East Tower, No.222 Xingming Lu, Tianhe (3886 4821,www.kaiyiyk.com) 德隆齿科诊所，广州市天河区兴民路 222 号天盈 广场东塔 39 楼 3905-3909 Dr. Sherily Xiao Master of Medicine. 21 years of TCM & Acupuncture & Physiotherapy & Massage 5 years International Clinic Experience. Only for appointment. Nr.132, Taojin Road, Yuexiu District（Tel: 137 1052 6617; E-mail: xiaoshuilan@hotmail.com) 越秀区淘金路132号

Element Fresh 1) Shop L302, TaiKoo Hui, 383 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (3808 8506); 2) G/F, 42 Qingfeng Jie, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3828 8482) 新元素 , 1) 天河区天河路 383 号太古汇广场 L302 店 ; 2) 天河区珠江新城清风街 42 号首层 Gail’s American Cuisine & Bar Shop 11, 2/F, 6 Xingsheng Lu, Tianhe District (8928 0920, 3759 4226) 天河区兴盛路 6 号尚东君御二楼 11 铺

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Summer House Directly behind the Marriage House, Xietian Li, Lingnan Tiandi, Chancheng District, Foshan (133 9223 6374, www.summerhouse.com.cn) 佛山市禅城区岭南天地协天里（嫁娶屋正后面）粤 天地 112-116 号铺

Sultan Restaurant Turkish

BBQ 1) 1-3/F, 367 Huanshi Dong Lu, between Baiyun Hotel and Friendship Store, Yuexiu District (8349 4170, 8349 4171); 2) Shop 102 & 114, Zhonghai Jinghui Huating, 31 Xingsheng Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, TianHe District(3801 5002) 1) 苏坦土耳其烧烤餐厅 , 越秀区环市东路 367 号 1-3 楼 ( 白云宾馆与友谊商店夹位处 ); 2) 广州市天 河区珠江新城兴盛路 31 号中海璟晖华庭二期商铺 102 & 114 Morgan’s Public House Tra-

Eur Am Medical & Dental Center 1/F, North Tower, Ocean Pearl Bldg, 19 Huali Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng (3758 5328, 24hr urgent care: 137 1041 3347, www. eurammedicalcenter.com) 广州康辰医疗 , 珠江新城华利路 19 号远洋明珠大 厦北座首层 Guangzhou Narcotics Anonymous Meetings: Monday 6.30pm and Friday 7pm. (For help: 188 9857 0042 (French, Chinese & English), 133 3287 0750 (Persian), 185 8876 4470 (English), www.nachina.com) H&H Dental Center 1/F, Mingmen Building, 4 Huacheng Dadao, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3808 0700, 3808 0729; 24-hour hotline: 139 2516 2826; Email: hnhdental@163.com) H&H 牙科中心（嘉茜医疗门诊 ), 天河区珠江新城 花城大道 4 号名门大厦正门首层 iBorn Clinic Rm 2202-2203, Qiaoxin Kingold Century, 62 Jinsui Lu, Tianhe District (

3736 2020/ 24-hr 3736 2110) 爱博恩综合门诊 天河区珠江新城金穗路侨鑫金融 中心2202-2203 iBorn Women’s & Children’s Hospital No.6 Longkou Dong Lu, Tianhe District (2811 6375/185 2018 8335) 广州爱博恩妇产医院 , 天河区龙口东路 6 号 Sing Health Medical 2 Xian Cun Rd, Zhu Jiang New City, Tian He District, Guangzhou, Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat-Sun 9am3pm, Tel: 3739 2500 Open Every Day 广州新宁门诊， 天河区 珠江新城 冼村路 2 号 United Family Guangzhou Clinic 1/F, Annex Bldg, PICC Bldg, 301 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong (4008 919 191, 24-hr urgent care: 8710 6060) 广州越秀和睦家门诊部 , 广州大道中 301 号人保大 厦南塔副楼首层 Guangzhou United Family Hospital Open 24/7. 24-hr Service Center: 4008 919191, 24-hr Emergency Hotline: (020) 3610 2333 No. 28, Fangyuan Lu, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 广州和睦家医院 广州市海珠区芳园路 28 号

LIFESTYLE Guangdong Int’l Volunteer Expatriate Service (GIVES) Contact Rosaline Yam (8778 2778; givescn@ yahoo.com) www.gives.cn Guangzhou Women’s Int’l Club (GWIC) For contact information, visit www.gwic.org SO’ O LK (Hair Salon) 1) G/F, 545 Binjiang Dong Lu, Haizhu District (3425 7429); 2) Shop 103A, World Trade Centre, 371-375 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District (8760 6299); 3) Shop101, 712 Binjiang Dong Lu, Haizhu District (8419 1022); 4) Shop101, Fuli Edinburgh Apartment, 2 Huali Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District(3826 3718); 5) Shop 15 2/F, Chateau Star River Hotel, Yingbin Lu, Panyu District(3479 0641); 6) Shop81-82, G/F, New City Plaza, Olympic Garden, Luoxi New Town, Panyu District(3452 1826); 7) Shop 21, Agile Phase II, Fenghuang Bei Lu, Huadu District(3692 8686) 苏豪路易士，嘉玛发廊，1) 天河区天河北路 366 号都市华庭 13 铺 ; 2) 越秀区环市东路 371-375 号世界贸易中心首层 103A; 3) 海珠区滨江东路 712 号 101 铺 ; 4) 天河区珠江新城华利路 2 号富 力爱丁堡公寓 101 铺 ; 5) 番禺区迎宾路星河湾酒 店 2 楼 15 号铺 ; 6) 番禺区洛溪新城奥园城市花园 首层 81-82 号铺 ; 7) 花都区凤凰北路雅居乐二期 21 号铺 Nail Culture 1. Manicures & Pedicures: We choose imported nail polish from Japan, which boast not only rich and saturated colors, but also a clear and lustrous sheen. It’s also easy to remove; 2. Eyelashes: We choose the highest quality eyelashes to give you a soft, exquisite and comfortable feeling; 3. Hair Removal: We meet the global industry standard for hair removal, choosing the Spanish brand Depileve; 4. Eyebrow tattooing, eyes’ contours tattooing and lip bleaching 1) Shop No. 404, Bldg. 3A, Edinburgh International Apartment, 2 Huali Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3828 9001); 2)

Shop No. 102, 15 Jianshe Wu Malu, Yuexiu District (186 2078 1677); No. 231, 2/F, GTLand Winter Plaza, 16 Zhujiang Dong Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (3788 9859) 日式高端美甲美睫会所 1) 天河区珠江新城华利路 2 号富力爱丁堡 3A 栋 404 号 ; 2) 越秀区建设五马路 15 号 102 铺 ; 3) 天河区珠江新城珠江东路 16 号高 德置地冬广场二楼 231 铺

EDUCATION American International School of Guangzhou (AISG) 1) 3 Yanyu Nan Lu, Ersha Island (8735 3393); 2) 19,Kexiang Road Luogang District,Science Park, Guangzhou (3213 5555) 1) 广州美国人 ，二沙岛烟雨南路 3 号 ; 2) 广州罗岗 区科翔路 19 号 Canadian Foreign Language School Cambridgshire Garden, Panyu District (39191868 ext. 0) 广州市番禺区剑桥郡加拿达外国语学校，广州市番 禺区剑桥郡花园

HOTEL

CONSULATES

Chimelong Hotel Panyu Dadao, Panyu District (8478 6838, gz.chimelong.com) 长隆酒店 , 番禺区番禺大道

Argentina 2405, Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (3888 0328, cguan@ mrecic.gov.ar) 阿根廷共和国领事馆 , 天河区天河路 208 号粤海天 河城大厦 2405 单元

Chimelong Hengqin Bay Hotel Hengqin New District, Zhuhai (0756-299 8888, www. chimelong.com) 长隆横琴湾酒店 , 珠海市横琴新区 Chimelong Penguin Hotel Hengqin New District, Zhuhai (0756-299 3366, www.chimelong.com) 长隆企鹅酒店, 珠海市横琴新区 Chimelong Circus Hotel Hengqin New District, Zhuhai (0756-299 3399, www.chimelong. com) 长隆马戏酒店, 珠海市横琴新区 China Hotel 122, Liuhua Lu, Yuexiu District (8666 6888; www.chinahotelgz.com) 中国大酒店 , 越秀区流花路 122 号 Conrad Guangzhou 222 Xingmin Lu, Tianhe District (3739 2222) 广州康莱德酒店，天河区兴民路222号

Canadian International School of Guangzhou Merchant Hill, Dongyi Lu, Panyu District (3925 5321, www.cisgz.com) 广州加拿大人国际学校，番禺区东艺路招商金山谷

DoubleTree by Hilton Guangzhou 391 Dongfeng Lu, Yuexiu District (2833 7215; 2833 2888) 广州希尔顿逸林酒店 , 越秀区东风路 391 号

Canadian Internatioanal Kindergarten Agile Garden, Yinbin Lu, Panyu District (8456 6551). 加拿大国际幼儿园，番禺区迎宾路雅居乐花园

Grand Hyatt Guangzhou 12, Zhujiang Xi Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (8396 1234 www.guangzhou.grand.hyatt.com) 广州富力君悦大酒店 , 天河区珠江新城珠江西路 12 号

Canton Global Academy 4 Chuangjia Road, Jinshazhou, Baiyun District, Guagnzhou (180 2401 1757) 广州寰宇外籍人员子女学校 , 广州市白云区金沙洲 创佳路 4 号 Clifford School International International Building, Clifford School, Clifford Estates, Shiguang Lu, Panyu District (8471 8273; 8471 1441; 8471 1694) 祈福英语实验学校，番禺区市广路 Eclipse English Education 18D, No.368, Tianhe Bei Road, GZ (Tel:38780382,18922769713) 爱誉英语, 天河北路, 368号, 18D Guangzhou Nanfang International School No. 1, Yucuiyuan North, Yinglong Lu, Longdong, Tianhe District (3886 6952, 3886 3606, Fax: 3886 3680, www.gnischina.org) 广州 南方外籍人员子女学校，天河区龙洞迎龙路瑜翠 园北一号 ISA International School Guangzhou Block C2-2, 128 Yuancun Siheng Lu, Tianhe District (8890 0909, info@isaschool.com) 广州 爱莎国际学校, 天河区员村四横路128号红专厂创 意园C2-2 Stone Eden Nursery School A316, Guangzhou Opera House, 1 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District (8852 6503, info@stoneedennursery. com) 英诺儿英国早托 , 天河区珠江西路 1 号广州大剧院 A316

Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe 228 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (6108 8888) 广州正佳广场万豪酒店，天河区天河路 228 号 Langham Place Guangzhou 638 Xingang Dong Lu, Haizhu District(8916 3388) 广州南丰朗豪酒店 , 海珠区新港东路 638 号 LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou 368, Huanshi Dong Lu (8333 8989, www.thegardenhotel. com.cn) LN Garden Hotel, Guangzhou, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District 广州花园酒店 , 越秀区环市东路 368 号花园酒 店 (8333 8989) LN Garden Hotel Nansha Guangzhou, 1 Dajiao Er Lu, Nansha District (3210 8888) 广州南沙花园酒店 , 南沙区大角二路 1 号 LN Hotel Five, Guangzhou 277 Yanjiang Zhong Lu, Yuexiu District （8931 0505） 广州岭南五号酒店，越秀区沿江中路 277 号 Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou 389 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (3808 8888) 广州文华东方酒店 , 天河区天河路 389 号 Park Hyatt Guangzhou 16 Huaxia Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou (3769 1234) 广州柏悦酒店 天河区珠江新城华夏路 16 号 Shangri-La Hotel Guangzhou 1, Huizhan Dong Lu, Haizhu District (8917 8888, www. shangri-la.com) 广州香格里拉大酒店 , 海珠区会展东路 1 号

The British School of Guangzhou 983-3 Tonghe Lu, Baiyun District (8709 4788) 广州 英国学校, 白云区同和路983-3

Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich 988 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, Tianhe District (3883 8888) 广州圣丰索菲特大酒店 , 天河区广州大道中 988 号 . www.sofitel.com

Trinity International Kindergarten 663 Huacheng Dadao, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (8558 3287) 圣心国际幼稚园, 天 河区珠江新城花城大道663号

The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou 3, Xing’an Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (3813 6688, www.ritzcarlton.com) 广州富力丽思卡尔顿 酒店, 天河区珠江新城兴安路3号

Utahloy Int’l School www.utahloy.com 1) 800 Shatai Bei Lu, Baiyun District (8720 2019, fax 8704 4296); 2) Sanjiang Town, Zeng Cheng (8291 4691 fax: 8291 3303) 广州誉德莱国际学校，1) 白云区沙太北路800号 ；2) 增城三江镇

W Guangzhou 26 Xiancun Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (6628 6628) 广州 W 酒店 , 天河区珠江新城冼村路 26 号 White Swan Hotel 1 Shamian Nan Jie, Liwan District (8188 6968) 白天鹅宾馆 , 荔湾区沙面南街 1 号

Brazil Rm 1403, 10 Huaxia Lu, R&F Center, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (02083652236; cg. cantao.itamaraty.gov.br) 巴西驻广州总领事馆 , 珠江新城华夏路 10 号富力中 心 1403 室 Australia 12/F, Zhujiang New City, Development Centre, 3 Linjiang Lu (Tel: 3814 0111; Fax: 3814 0112) www.guangzhou.china.embassy.gov.au 澳大利亚领事馆，临江路 3 号珠江新城发展中心 12 楼 Belgium Room 0702, 7/F, R & F Center, Unit 2, 10 Huaxia Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (Tel: 3877 2351; Fax: 3877 2353) 天河区珠江新城华夏路 10 号富力中心 7 楼 0702 室 Cambodia Rm 802, The Garden Hotel (Tower), Huangshi Dong Lu (Tel: 8333 8999 - 805; Fax: 8365 2361) 柬埔寨领事馆，环市东路花园酒店大楼 808 室 Canada 26/F, Tower 1, Taikoo Hui, 385 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (Tel: 8611 6100, Fax: 8667 2401) www.guangzhou.gc.ca 加拿大领事馆，天河区天河路 385 号太古汇一座 26 楼 Colombia Unit 12, 36/F No 5, Zhujiang West Road, Tianhe, Guangzhou (8883 4826, cguangzhou@cancilleria.gov.co) 哥伦比亚驻广州总领事馆，珠江西路 5 号广州国际 金融中心主塔写字楼 36 层 12 单元 Cuba Rm 2411, West Tower, Huapu Plaza, 13 Huaming Lu, Zhujiang New Town (Tel: 2238 2603 / 2238 2604; Fax: 2238 2605) 珠江新城华明路 13 号华普广场西塔 2411 Denmark Rm 1578, China Hotel, A Marriott Hotel, 122 Liuhua Lu (Tel: 2829 7300; Fax: 8667 0315) 丹 麦 领 事 馆， 流 花 路 122 号 中 国 大 酒 店 写 字 楼 1578 室 Ecuador Room 1801, R&F Building, 10 Huaxia Lu, Zhujiang New Town (Tel: 3892 7650; Fax: 3892 7550) 厄瓜多尔共和国驻广州领事馆，珠江新城华夏路 10 号富力中心 1801 室 France Rm 1901-1907, Central Tower (Kaihua International Center), 5 Xiancun Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (www.consulfrancecanton.org; Tel: 2829 2000; Fax: 2829 2001) 法国驻广州总领事馆，天河区珠江新城冼村路 5 号凯华国际中心 1901-1907 室 Germany 14/F Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (Tel: 8313 0000; Fax: 8516 8133) www.kanton.diplo.de 德国领事馆，天河路 208 号粤海天河城大厦 14 楼 Greece Rm 2105, HNA Building, 8 Linhe Zhong Lu (Tel: 8550 1114; Fax: 8550 1450; grgencon.guan@mfa.gr) 希腊领事馆 , 林和中路 8 号海航大厦 2105 室 India 14/F, Haichuan Dasha, 8 Linhe Zhong Lu, Tianhe District (8550 1501-05) 印度领事馆，天河区林和中路 8 号海船大厦 14 楼 Indonesia Rm 1201-1223, 2/F, West Building, Dong Fang Hotel, 120 Liuhua Lu (Tel: 8601 8772; fax 8601 8773; kjrigz@public.guangzhou. gd.cn) 印度尼西亚领事馆，流花路 120 号东方宾馆西座 2 楼 1201-1223 室 Israel 19/F, Development Center, 3 Linjiang Dadao, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District

(8513 0509) 以色列领事馆，天河区珠江新城临江大道 3 号发展 中心 19 楼 . Guangzhou.mfa.gov.il Italy Rm 1403, International Finance Place (IFP), 8, Huaxia Lu, Zhujiang New Town (Tel: 3839 6225; Fax: 8550 6370) 意大利领事馆，珠江新城华夏路 8 号合景国际金融 广场 14 楼 1403 室 Japan 1/F, East Tower, The Garden Hotel, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu (Tel: 8334 3009; Fax: 8333 8972) www.guangzhou.cn.emb-japan.go.jp 日本领事馆，环市东路 368 号花园酒店东塔 1 楼 Korea (Republic) 18 Youlin Lu, Chigang Consulate Area, Haizhu District (Tel: 2919 2999; fax 2919 2980; Guangzhou@mofat.go.kr) 韩国领事馆，海珠区赤岗领事馆区友邻路 18 号 Kuwait 10A-10D, Nanyazhonghe Plaza, 57 Lingjiang Dadao, Zhujiang New Town (Tel: 3807 8070; Fax: 3807 8007). 科威特国总领事馆，珠江新城临江大道 57 号南雅中 和广场 10A-10D Malaysia Rm 1915-1918, 19/F, CITIC Plaza, 233 Tianhe Bei Lu ((Tel: 3877 0765; Fax: 3877 2320) 马来西亚领事馆，天河北路 233 号中信广场 19 楼 1915-1918 室 Mexico Rm2001, Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Bei Lu (Tel: 2208 1540; Fax: 2208 1539) 墨西哥领事馆，天河路 208 号粤海天河城大厦 20 楼 01 单元 Netherlands 34/F, Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe Bei Lu (Tel: 3813 2200; Fax: 3813 2299) www.hollandinchina.org 荷兰领事馆，天河路 208 号粤海天河城大厦 34 楼 New Zealand Suite 3006, 30/F, Taikoo Hui, 385 Tianhe Lu, Tianhe District (8931 9600) 新西兰领事馆 , 天河区天河路 385 号太古汇 30 层 3006 室 Norway Suite 1802, CITIC Plaza, 233 Tianhe Bei Lu (3811 3188 Fax: 3811 3199) 挪威领事馆，天河北路 233 号中信广场 180 室 Peru Unit 01 on 32/F 5 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe (Tel: 6184 6244; Fax: 6631 1804) 秘鲁驻广州总领事馆，珠江西路5号广州国际金融中 心主塔写字楼32层01单元 Philippines Rm 706-712 Guangdong Int’l Hotel, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu (Tel: 8331 1461; Fax: 8333 0573) www.guangzhoupcg.org 菲律宾领事馆，环市东路 339 号广东国际大酒店主 楼 706-712 室 Poland 63 Shamian Da Jie (Tel: 8121 9993; Fax: 8121 9995) 波兰领事馆，沙面大街 63 号 Singapore Unit 2418, CITIC Plaza, 233 Tianhe Bei Lu (Tel: 3891 2345; Fax: 3891 2933) 新加坡领事馆，天河北路 233 中信广场 2418 室 Spain Rm 501/507/508 5/F, R&F Center, 10 Huaxia Lu, Pearl River New City (Tel: 3892 7185 / 3892 8909; Fax: 3892 7197). www.maec. es/consulados/canton 西班牙驻广州总领事馆，珠江新城华夏路 10 号富力 中心 5 楼 501/507/508 室 Switzerland 27/F, Kingold Century, 62 Jinsui Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (Tel: 3833 0450; Fax: 3833 0453) 瑞士领事馆，天河区珠江新城金穗路 62 号侨鑫国际 金融中心 27 层 Thailand 36 Youhe Lu, Haizhu District (8385 8988) 泰国领事馆 , 海珠区友和路 36 号 The Russian Federation 26/A, Development Center, 3 Linjiang Dadao, Zhujiang New Town (8518 5001 Fax: 8518 5099 (office)/ 8518 5088(visa section)) 俄罗斯联邦驻广州总领事馆 , 珠江新城临江大道 3 号发展中心 26/A Turkey Rm. 23A, Development Center Building, 3 Linjiang Dadao, Zhujiang Xincheng,

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Tianhe District (3785 3466, bkesmen@mfa. gov.tr) 天河区珠江新城临江大道 3 号发展中心 23A United States 43 Huajiu Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (guangzhou-ch. usembassy-china.org.cn, 3814 5000) 美国领事馆，天河区珠江新城华就路43号 Vietnam 6/F, Block A, Huaqiao Building, 8 Qiaoguang Lu, Haizhu District (8330 5910) 越南领事馆 , 海珠区侨光路 8 号华侨大厦 A 座 6 层

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE American Chamber of Commerce Suite 1801, Guangzhou International Sourcing Center, 8 Pazhou Dadao Dong, Haizhu District (Tel: 8335 1476; Fax: 8332 1642; amcham@

amcham-sunthchina.org) www.amchamsouthchina.org 美国商会，海珠区琶洲大道东 8 号广州国际采购中 心 1801 室 Australian Chamber of Commerce Rm1714 -15, Main Tower, Guangdong International Building, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu (Tel: 2237 2866; Fax: 8319 0765; mail@austcham-southchina.org). www.austcham-southchina.org 澳 洲 商 会， 环 市 东 路 339 号 广 东 国 际 大 厦 主 楼 1714 – 15 室 BenCham, Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg) Chamber of Commerce in China, Pearl River Delta, Floor 34, 208 Teem Tower, 208 Tianhe Lu (155 2118 2708 ). 荷比卢商会 , 天河路 208 号粤海天河城大厦 34 楼 www.bencham.org British Chamber of Commerce Unit 2201B, International Financial Center, 5 Zhujiang Xi Lu, Tianhe District ( Tel: 8331 5013; Fax: 8331 5016; events@britchamgd.com) 英 国 商 会， 天 河 区 珠 江 西 路 5 号 国 际 金 融 中 心 2201B

European Union Chamber of Commerce Rm 2817, Tower A, Shine Plaza, 9 Linhe Xi Lu, Tianhe District (Tel: 3801 0269; Fax: 3801 0275) 中国欧盟商会，天河区林和西路 9 号耀中广场 A 塔 2817 室

Rm 1613, Main Tower, Guangdong International Hotel, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu (8331 1888-71613; Fax: 8331 1983; E-mail: cpcc2005@21cn.com) 中国菲律宾商会，环市东路 339 号广东国际大酒店 主楼 1613 室

French Chamber of Commerce in South China (CCIFC) Room 802, 8/F, Leatop Plaza, 32 Zhujiang Dong Lu, Zhujiang Xincheng, Tianhe District (2916 5535) 天河区珠江新城珠江东路 32 号利通广场 8 层 02 单 元

Spanish Chamber of Commerce Rm. 1305, 13/F, Main Tower, Guangdong International Building, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu, Yuexiu District (Tel: 3892 7531; Fax: 3892 7127; www. spanishchamber-ch.com) 越秀区环市东路 339 号广东国际大厦主楼 1305 室

German Chamber of Commerce 1903 Leatop Plaza, 32 Zhujiang Dong Lu, Tianhe District (Tel: 8755 2353; Fax: 8755 1889; chamber@gz.china.ahk.de) china.ahk.de 天河区珠江东路 32 号利通广场 1903 室 Italian Chamber of Commerce Rm 948, Office Tower, the Garden Hotel, 368 Huanshi Dong Lu ( Tel: 8365 2682; Fax: 8365 2983) 意 大 利 商 会， 环 市 东 路 368 号 花 园 大 厦 948 房 www.cameraitacina.com China-Philippines Chamber of Commerce

CLASSIFIEDS BUSINESS SERVICES HiTouch Consulting • Hong Kong Company • Company Registration • Tax & Accounting • Trademark & Patent • China Visa Tel: 400-9999-793 Website: www.hitouch.com Guangzhou丨Shanghai 丨Yiwu Asiabs & B.string Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai 1) Setting-up HK, BVI and other offshore company 2) Setting-up WFOE, JV, Representative Office in China mainland 3) Accounting, Taxation, HR, Visa & Trading service Tel: 852 8102 2592 / 86 21 58362605 86 10 65637970 Website: www.AsiaBS.com www.Stringbc.com E-mail: info@stringbc.com CENTURY, a Comprehensive Office Services Company 1. Office Relocation, Personal Relocation 2. Second-hand Office Furniture Resell 3. Office Cleaning Services 4. Landscaping/Indoor Plant 5. Carpet Cleaning 6. Pest Control Tel: (86 20) 2816 5345 Email: guangzhou@centuryrelo.com

ACCOUNTING FIRMS Harris Corporate Solutions Ltd Guangzhou | Shanghai | Beijing | Hong Kong Established since 1972 • WFOE & Rep. Office Set Up • Accounting & Tax Compliance • Payroll, HR & Visa Solutions • Hong Kong & Offshore Company Registration • Hong Kong & China Bank Account Opening Serving all your business needs for investing in China. Call us for a free consultation.

Tel: (86)20-8762 0508 Mobile: 135-703-48815 Email: info.gz@harriscorps.com.cn

70 | GZ | APRIL 2019 | WWW.THATSMAGS.COM

Romeo Lau & Co. work visa, WFOE, JV, RO, HK company, auditing, car rental,driver license. www.romeolawoffice.com Mobile: 13570993252, 020-38865269, dmc_ canto@yahoo.com

CHURCH CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Expatriates welcome! Large group multinational, non-denominational expatriate Christians hold English services Sundays 10.00am to 11.30am. Need foreign citizenship proof.

Website: www.gicf.net Tel: 177 2768 5019.

JOBS OFFERED CANTON GLOBAL ACADEMY (CGA) is an international school in Guangzhou operating the UK National Curriculum.

It is part of the Canadian International Educational Organisation. Currently it has recruited students from Nursery (aged 3 years) to Year 6 (aged 12 years) and the school is growing quickly.

Required for January (or sooner) Fully qualified and experienced Primary Years teachers. Preference will be given to applicants who have knowledge of and experience in teaching the UK National Curriculum Primary programme and to those who may have specialist qualifications for example in ESL, science and Music.

CGA OFFERS *Initial two-year contract *Competitive salary *Annual flight allowance *International Health insurance *Benefits including accommodation allowance, end of contract bonus Applicants should send a full CV listing two independent educational referees and a letter of application on/by 31 December to Charles Chao, Chief Operations Officer, on charles.chao@cgagz.com from whom further information may be obtained.

South China HR English Website (English.job168.com) China's most famous & professional job

hunting website 8/F, Nanfang Jingdian Building, No. 198 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou 1/F,Huapu Building, No.104 Tianhe Road,Guangzhou (Tel: 85584676) 南方人才网英文站(english.job168.com) 广州市天河路198号南方精典大厦八楼 广州市天河路104号华普大厦西座一楼 Eclipse English Education Native English teachers wanted.

Competitive pay with flexible scheduling.

Free Chinese classes for employees.Tianhe location.

13902273359 or (020) 38780382 Mrs.Wong The Australian Chamber of Commerce South China is hiring an Events and Communications Manager to facilitate Australia-China business relations through industry event management and China-ready marketing.

The Events Coordinator is responsible for the Chamber's events program and related communications. The events program is one of the Chamber's main streams of revenue.

For more information, please call the AustCham office at +86 020 22372866 and to apply, please email a 1-2 page CV and 1-page cover letter to asha.forsyth@ austcham-southchina.org.

REAL ESTATE Life Partner provides house leasing, housekeeping and other personalized services to expatriates from Multi Corporations and foreign institutes as well as to individuals.

Guangzhou/Foshan/Zhaoqing/Zhengzhou/Wuhan Since 2004 Contact Person: Ellen Pan, Tel: 020-3881 3137, Mobile: 159 1878 3607 Email: panhj@lifepartner.cn Web: www.lifepartner.cn

TRAVEL Free N Easy Travel An International Travel Agency in GZ, offers you the most competitive airfares, best discounted hotels worldwide and great

getaway packages.

Call our Toll free no.800-830-2353 or Tel 3877 2345 or email us at Guangzhou@ fnetravel.com or visit us at our travel center at 218 Sky Galleria, CITIC PALAZA, 233 Tianhe North Road or check for more details at our website---www .fnetravel .com Turkish Airlines Rm. 6107, Citic Plaza, 233 Tianhe Bei Lu, Tianhe District (3877 1690, 3877 1691, www.turkishairlines.com)天河区 天河北路233号中信广场6107室

MOVING & SHIPPING AGS Four Winds is leading international moving company offers a full range relocation, moving, and storage services.

Our global network of over 300 offices worldwide plus 40 years experience in the moving industry, we know your concerns and have the ability to serve you anywhere in the world.

We are FAIM & ISO 9001-2008 accredited, members of the FAIM and FIDI. Contact us for FREE survey and quotation: Tel: +86 20 8363 3735 Email: manager.guangzhou@agsfourwinds. com Website: www.agsfourwinds.com Rayca Moving & Transportation Services With 10 years experience, Rayca provides international, domestic, local moving services & pet relocation service. We can effectively move you anywhere with competitive price!

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Service hotline: 400-048-9099 Email: info@raycatrans.com Website:www.raycatrans.com

WWW.THATSMAGS.COM | MARCH 2019 | GZ | 71

That’s zhou Guang

APRIL

Horoscopes

Finally, a horoscope that understands your life in Guangzhou.

By Karen Toast

Pisces

2.20~3.20 Set your intentions clearly this month. Change is in the air and you should take this time to focus on selfimprovement. We’re talking yoga here, not spicy noodles.

Cancer

6.22~7.22 There’s a new love interest in your future. Max out your social life by accepting all invitations and ending every night at Party Pier. Even if someone doesn’t catch your eye, there’s no failed night that ends with a Zapata’s taco.

Scorpio

10.24~11.22 The solar eclipse may bring anxiety into your home life. Be sure to sit back and order Meituan as much as possible; you’re safest in staying in bed all month.

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Aries

3.21~4.20 C a n to n Fa i r m ea n s to u r i s t s a re flocking to Guangzhou in droves. If you’re craving a steady social life this month, refuse all new WeChat friends and group chat invitations.

Leo

7.23~8.23 The stars this month foretell a change in your surroundings. An overwhelming trip to Ikea is in your future... Be sure to take a nap on the mattress before you purchase it. It will be cheaper that way.

Sagittarius 11.23~12.21

A new moon means new beginnings!

Your great outlook on life together with the spring sunshine means pals will have no problem keeping up with your celebratory mood. Congrats!

Taurus 4.21~5.21

Your star chart looks suspiciously like a baguette this month. Whether in the form of a late night bubble waffle or a mid-morning baozi , bread is making a comeback in a big way.

Virgo

8.24~9.23 Mercury is still in retrograde. For real. It would be wise to refrain from anything too taxing for a while. Show this to your laoban if he asks you to work overtime.

Capricorn 12.22~1.20

You’re revisiting old relationships this month. Whether it is a relative visiting from home, or running into an old friend on the subway, now is a great time to reconnect over a nice meal. Try Gaga Cafe (page 54).

Gemini

5.22~6.21 After a stressful March, you’re back in the groove of Guangzhou. It’s important to take this time to think of yourself and practice some selflove. A weekend staycation would be a felicitous move.

Libra

9.24~10.23 Whatever you do in April, do not under any circumstances point directly at the moon. You may also want to refrain from sitting in subway cars. Don't ask why.

Aquarius 1.21~2.19

It has never been clearer that there will be an adventure in your future. It’s time to break down your boundaries and explore uncharted territories.

Anywhere east of Tianhe counts, right?